Sulfilimines as Transformable and Retainable Directing Groups in Rhodium-Catalyzed <i>ortho</i>-C–H Bond Functionalization

Abstract

Shown herein is the first time that the sulfilimine is utilized as a directing group for Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H activation/annulation with intermolecular and intramolecular alkyne compounds. Sulfilimine serves as a transformable directing group, an internal oxidant, in the annulation with an alkyne moiety via N-S bond cleavage. Notably, the retention of sulfilimine as a directing group is also achieved in the Rh(III)-catalyzed <i>ortho</i>-alkynylation with alkyne bromides.