Air-stable Rh complexes ligated by strongly σ-donating cyclic (amino)(alkyl)carbenes (CAACs) show unique catalytic activity for the selective hydrogenation of aromatic ketones and phenols by reducing the aryl groups. The use of CAAC ligands is essential for achieving high selectivity and conversion. This method is characterized by its good compatibility with unsaturated ketones, esters, carboxylic acids, amides, and amino acids and is scalable without detriment to its efficiency.

An example of using readily available, less reactive aryl bromides as arylating reagents in the Pd(II)-catalyzed intermolecular arylation of unactivated C(sp(3))-H bonds is described. This reaction was promoted by a crucial 8-aminoquinolinyl directing group and a K2CO3 base, enabling regiospecific installation of an aryl scaffold at the β-position of carboxamides. A mechanistic study by DFT calculations reveals a C(sp(3))-H activation-led pathway featuring the oxidative addition as the highest energy transition state.

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It is reported that a nickel/phosphine catalyst allows the C-H allylation to occur effectively with the allyl site selectivity predominantly governed by steric effects. This reaction provides a facile and predictable route for the selective preparation of linear allylarenes from readily available benzamides and allyl phosphates.

Metal-free synthesis of chalcone derivatives through a tandem cross-dehydrogenative-coupling/elimination reaction is described. A simple and inexpensive ammonium persulfate salt enables the reaction between ketones and benzylamines to proceed with high stereoselectivity and good functional group compatibility.a Reaction conditions: propiophenone 1a (0.5 mmol), benzylamines 2 (2.5 mmol), (NH 4 ) 2 S 2 O 8 (1.5 mmol) in tert-amyl-OH (1.0 mL) at 120 °C for 24 h. b 1 H NMR yield using tetrachloroethane as an internal standard. c Isolated yield in parentheses for the 1.0 g scale synthesis. † Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures and product characterization. See