Ruthenium-catalyzed direct arylation of C–H bonds in aromatic amides containing a bidentate directing group: significant electronic effects on arylation

Arylation of ortho C–H bonds is achieved by a ruthenium-catalyzed reaction of aromatic amides having an 8-aminoquinoline moiety with aryl bromides. The reaction shows high functional group compatibility. The reaction proceeds in a highly selective manner at the less hindered C–H bonds of meta-substituted aromatic amides. Significant electronic effects are observed in Hammett plots. Electron-withdrawing groups on the aromatic amides facilitate the reaction. In contrast, both electron-donating groups and electron-withdrawing groups on aryl bromides accelerate the reaction.