Cp*Co(III)-catalyzed synthesis of isoquinolones controlled annulation of primary arylamides with internal alkynes.

In this study, we present the first cobalt(III)-catalyzed direct synthesis of isoquinolones from readily available primary arylamides and internal alkynes through a controlled oxidative C-H/N-H annulation reaction. This innovative protocol eliminates the need for expensive transition metal salts and external auxiliaries, producing the desired mono-annulated product exclusively while accommodating a wide range of substrates. Preliminary mechanistic studies highlight the critical role of copper oxide in facilitating the transformation.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed Controlled -Amidation of Arylamides with Dioxazolones Using Weakly Coordinating Native Primary Amide as the Directing Group.

Herein, we report a controlled introduction of an amide unit at the ortho-position of an electron-deficient arylamide system without affording any cyclized products using user-friendly dioxazolone as an amidating reagent in the presence of a Rh(III)-catalyst. This is the first report where native primary amide has been utilized as a weakly coordinating group for site-selective C-N bond formation reaction. The developed protocol works under external auxiliary-free conditions with a wide substrate scope.