We present a novel, efficient, and regioselective method for the rhodium-catalyzed direct C-H ortho-halogenation of anilines that involves a removable N-nitroso directing group. This method featured mild reaction conditions, wide substrate scope, good functional group tolerance and satisfactory yields. To maintain the high ortho-regioselectivity and conversion, increasing the steric hindrance of the solvent was critical. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that C-H activation may be involved in the rate-determining step.

Herein, we describe a catalytic asymmetric intramolecular vinylogous aldol reaction by taking advantage of dual organocatalysts, which enables convergent synthesis of ortho-fused tricyclic diketones in excellent enantioselectivities and diastereoselectivities. Noteworthy is that the reaction stereoselectively forges three consecutive stereogenic carbon centers including a quaternary one. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the enantioselectivity was facilitated by a transannular hydrogen bonding between the protonated quinuclidine moiety of the chiral aminocatalyst and the diketone fragment of the substrate.

An efficient rhodium-catalyzed regioselective C–H allylation of N,N-diisopropylcarbamoyl indazoles with allylic carbonates as allylating agents has been developed. This methodology provides facile access to C7-allylated indazoles with high regioselectivity, ample substrate scope and broad functional group tolerance.

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