A Rh(III) -catalyzed direct ortho-CH amidation/amination of benzoic acids with N-chlorocarbamates/N-chloromorpholines was achieved, giving anthranilic acids in up to 85 % yields with excellent ortho-selectivity and functional-group tolerance. Successful benzoic acid aminations were achieved with carbamates bearing various amide groups including NHCO2 Me, NHCbz, and NHTroc (Cbz=carbobenzyloxy; Troc=trichloroethylchloroformate), as well as secondary amines, such as morpholines, piperizines, and piperidines, furnishing highly functionalized anthranilic acids. A stoichiometric reaction of a cyclometallated rhodium(III) complex of benzo[h]quinoline with a silver salt of N-chlorocarbamate afforded an amido-rhodium(III) complex, which was isolated and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. This finding confirmed that the CN bond formation results from the cross-coupling of N-chlorocarbamate with the aryl-rhodium(III) complex. Yet, the mechanistic details regarding the CN bond formation remain unclear; pathways involving 1,2-aryl migration and rhodium(V)- nitrene are plausible.

The Cp*Rh(iii)-catalyzed cascade arylfluorination reactions of α-diazoketoesters with arylboronic acids and N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide for one-pot C(sp3)–C(aryl) and C(sp3)–F bond formation was achieved.