A facile method for Rh-catalyzed decarbonylative ortho -C-H alkylation of (hetero)arenes with alkyl carboxylic acids.

A facile and effective method for Rh-catalyzed direct ortho -alkylation of C-H bonds in (hetero)arenes with commercially available carboxylic acids has been developed. This strategy was initiated by in situ conversion of carboxylic acids to anhydrides which, without isolation, underwent Rh-catalyzed direct decarbonylative cross-coupling of aryl carboxamides containing 8-aminoquinoline. The reaction proceeds with high regioselectivity and exhibits a broad substrate scope as well as functional group tolerance.