Reaction of alkenecarboxylic acids with isocyanates via rhodium(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation: a versatile route to cyclic imides

Abstract

Under rhodium(III) catalysis, substituted propenoic acids successfully reacted with aryl isocyanates to provide cyclic imides via direct functionalization of the β-alkenyl C–H bond followed by intramolecular cyclization. The cascade process has been corroborated by the isolated intermediate. The reaction provides direct access to cyclic imides from readily available starting materials.