Rhodium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Amides from Aldehydes and Azides by Chelation‐Assisted CH Bond Activation

CH activation: A RhIII-catalyzed direct aldehyde CH amidation has been achieved with sulfonyl, aryl, and alkyl azides as the amine sources, and release of N2 as the only byproduct (see scheme). More importantly, this catalytic reaction proceeds in the absence of external oxidants or additives, under mild conditions, at neutral pH under air. This reaction represents a new avenue for practical intermolecular CN bond formation by aldehyde CH bond activation. Cp*=1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadiene