Rh(III)-catalyzed direct C–H cyanation of N-methoxybenzamides using N-cyano-N-phenyl-p-toluenesulfonamide

A new method has been developed for the mild and efficient Rh(III)-catalyzed direct C–H cyanation of a diverse range of N-methoxybenzamides using N-cyano-N-phenyl-p-toluenesulfonamide as an environmentally friendly and efficient cyanating reagent. This new reaction proceeded with good regioselectivity to provide direct access to a wide variety of valuable ortho-cyanated N-methoxybenzamides with board substrate/functional group tolerance.

Graphical AbstractA new Rh(III)-catalyzed direct C-H cyanation of diverse N-methoxybenzamides with N-cyano-N-phenyl-p-toluenesulfonamide (NCTS) have been developed. With this method, a variety of valuable ortho-cyanated N-methoxybenzamides can be easily prepared under mild conditions with broad functional group tolerance.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide