Hypervalent iodine-catalyzed oxidative amidation of methylarenes to the corresponding amides by using an oxidant (tert-butyl hydroperoxide, 70% aqueous solution) is discussed. This oxidizing agent presented a high degree of selectivity for the oxidation of toluene to amide without oxidation to carboxylic acid. This reaction involves metal-free oxidation, a mild reaction condition and tert-butyl alcohol as the only by-product.