The C−H alkylation of arylacetamides with activated alkenes such as substituted acrylates and vinyl sulphone in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst and organic acid via the weak O-coordination under the redox free version is described. The present protocol was effective with different substituted arylacetamides including secondary and tertiary amides. The reaction mechanism including the ortho C−H bond activation, migratory insertion, and protonation by acetic acid was suggested and supported by the deuterium labeling experiments, competitive experiments, and DFT calculations including TS analysis.

A versatile and site-selective rhodium­(III)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative alkenylation of arylacetamides including primary, secondary, and tertiary amides having a weak O-coordinating acetamide directing group with alkenes is described. In the reaction, air was utilized as a sole oxidant. The reaction was compatible with activated alkenes and maleimides.

A conventional BF 3 ·OEt 2 -mediated Bradsher-type cyclodehydration of 2-arylmethyl benzaldehydes in CH 2 Cl 2 at room temperature gave polycyclic aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds. Alternatively, these compounds could be syn-

An unprecedented oxidative cleavage of benzo[c]heterocycles using m‐CPBA is reported. The reaction of 1,3‐diaryl benzo[c]heterocycles with m‐CPBA (meta‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid) at room temperature for 5 min led to the formation of 1,2‐diaroylbenzenes in good to excellent yields.

A facile preparation of benz-annulated heterocycles were achieved at rt involving a Lewis acid/Brönsted acid mediated annulation of heterocycles using 2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran as a four-carbon synthon. The benz-/naphth-annulation was found to be successful with electron-rich arenes as well.