Amide-Directed Ru-Catalyzed Hydrodemethoxylation of ortho-Methoxy-Benzamides and -Naphthamides: A D oM Reaction Counterpart.

A new ruthenium-catalyzed hydrodemethoxylation of ortho-methoxy-benzamides and -naphthamides involving amide-directed C-OMe bond activation and hydride reduction is disclosed. The reaction is general, proceeding under RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3 catalysis using either triethylsilane (Et3SiH) or diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL-H) as the reductant. The corresponding C-N hydrodeamination reaction is also briefly reported.