Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed formal oxidative [4 + 1] cycloaddition of benzohydroxamic acids and α-diazoesters. A facile synthesis of functionalized benzolactams

A Rh(iii)-catalyzed oxidative [4 + 1] cycloaddition of benzohydroxamic acids and α-diazoesters is achieved to afford benzolactams in up to 93% yields. With the N-OAc amido moiety as a directing group, the ortho-C-H is selectively functionalized and the catalytic reaction exhibits excellent tolerance to different functional substituents. A notable rhodacyclic complex is isolated and structurally characterized, suggesting that C-H/N-H cyclometallation is a key step in the catalytic cycle. This journal is © the Partner Organisations 2014.