Iridium-Catalyzed ortho-C(sp2)-H Amidation of Benzaldehydes with Organic Azides.

An iridium-catalyzed ortho-C(sp2)-H amidation reaction of benzaldehydes with organic azides has been developed. A catalytic amount of 3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)aniline was used to promote the Ir-catalyzed directed C-H amination reaction through a transient aldimine intermediate. This reaction tolerates a broad scope of benzaldehyde substrates and works well with a range of aryl- and alkylsulfonyl azides.