Dirhodium(ii)-catalyzed ortho C–H amination of sterically congested N,N-dialkylanilines

Abstract

Dirhodium(II)-catalyzed ortho C–H amination of N,N-dialkylanilines has been developed. Sterically congested 1,2-diaminobenzenes were obtained in high yields with excellent chemo- and regioselectivities from para-substituted anilines and even from para-unsubstituted anilines. The ortho selectivity observed was rationalized in terms of the interaction between the dialkylamino group and a Rh(II)–nitrene intermediate.