Rhodium-Catalyzed Regioselective C–H Amidation of Benzaldehydes with Dioxazolones: Weakly Coordinating Aldehyde as a Traceless Directing Group

A rhodium-catalyzed C-H amidation of ortho/para-substituted benzaldehydes with dioxazolones has been developed to afford meta-substituted aromatic amides in moderate to good yields. This transformation proceeds via weakly coordinating aldehyde-directed ortho-C-H functionalization and concomitant decarbonylation processes. The aldehyde group notably serves as a unique traceless directing group that effectively controls the regioselectivity of the reaction. This protocol features operational simplicity and avoids the need for a transient directing group.