Iron(III)‐Catalyzed C–H Functionalization: <i>ortho</i>‐Benzoyloxylation of <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>‐Dialkylanilines and Its Application to 1,4‐Benzoxazepines

Abstract

Abstract A C–O bond‐formation reaction that proceeds through C–H functionalization of N , N ‐dialkylanilines at the ortho ‐position is presented. The iron‐catalyzed selective ortho ‐benzoyloxylation follows a polar Friedel–Crafts‐like mechanism and is sensitive to the nucleophilicity of the anilines. The benzoyloxylation of a variety of N , N ‐disubstituted anilines and N ‐phenyl heterocycles is carried out under extremely mild conditions. Furthermore, the methodology has been successfully employed for the generation of 1,4‐benzoxazepines and o ‐aminophenols.