Cobalt(III)- and Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed C–H Amidation and Synthesis of 4-Quinolones: C–H Activation Assisted by Weakly Coordinating and Functionalizable Enaminone

Abstract

Cobalt(III) and rhodium(III) catalysts exhibited complementary scope in C–H amidation of aryl enaminones. The amidation reactions proceeded with broad scope under the assistance of a weakly coordinating and bifunctional enaminone directing group. The electrophilicity of the enaminone group can be further utilized in subsequent hydrolysis–cyclization reactions to afford NH 4-quinolones in telescoping reactions.