Weinreb amide directed cross-coupling reaction between electron-deficient alkenes catalyzed by a rhodium catalyst.

A rhodium-catalyzed Weinreb amide directed cross-coupling reaction between electron-deficient alkenes is reported, which provides an efficient route for the synthesis of valuable and versatile Weinreb amide functionalized (Z,E)-butadienes. The catalytic system is insensitive to water and oxygen and exhibits broad functional group tolerance. This method also allowed both terminal and internal alkenes as the cross-coupling partners.