Rhodium(I)-catalyzed directed trideuteromethylation of (hetero)arene C-H bonds with CD 3 CO 2 D.

A Rh(I)-catalyzed trideuteromethylation of heteroarenes with inexpensive and readily available deuterated acetic acid (CD 3 CO 2 D) with the aid of a N -containing directing groups is developed. The oxidant-free reaction is applicable to a wide range of heteroarene substrates, including 2-pyridones, indoles, aryl rings, pyrroles and carbazoles. It allows installation of CD 3 groups under straightforward reaction conditions. It is expected that the salient and practical features of this trideuteromethylation protocol will be of use to academic and industrial researchers.