Exclusive coupling: High turnover numbers were attained in the dehydrogenative coupling reaction between C(sp2) and C(sp3) atoms. A zirconium catalyst mediates the coupling reactions of heterocyclic arenes and lactams exclusively at the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom of the latter under an oxygen atmosphere (see scheme).

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Oxygen. -The first dehydrogenative coupling reactions between lactams (II) and heterocyclic arenes furnishing almost exclusively lactams arylated at the carbon atoms adjacent to the nitrogen atom are described. -(TSUCHIMOTO*, T.; OZAWA, Y.; NEGORO, R.; SHIRAKAWA*, E.; KAWAKAMI, Y.; Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 43 (2004) 32, 4231-4233; Grad. Sch. Mater. Sci., Japan Adv. Inst. Sci. Technol., Ishikawa, Kanazawa 923-12, Japan; Eng.) -Koehler 49-054