Bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) zirconium perfluorooctanesulfonate is an air-stable and water-tolerant Lewis acid. This complex exhibited good thermal stability and high solubility in polar organic solvents. The compound showed relatively strong acidity, with an acid strength of 0.8 < Ho 3.3, and high catalytic efficiency for the synthesis of N-substituted amides via the reaction of carboxylic acids with amines, the Ritter reaction of nitriles with alcohols, and the amination of alcohols with amides. Moreover, the complex had good reusability. This catalytic system affords a simple and efficient way to synthesize N-substituted amides.