Efficiently Catalytic C–H Activation. Direct and Mild Carbonylation of Benzene and Cyclohexane by RhCl(CO)(PMe3)2 under Irradiation

A high turnover number was achieved in the photo-assisted carbonylation of C–H bonds of benzene catalyzed by RhCl(CO)(PMe3)2 under mild conditions (1 atm, 37 °C) to give mainly benzaldehyde. Cyclohexane could also be carbonylated under the same conditions.