Catalytic C–H amination driven by intramolecular ligand-to-nitrene one-electron transfer through a rhodium(iii) centre

Abstract

Werner type six-coordinate rhodium(III) complexes coordinated by a planar trianionic ligand and two axial aniline ligands are synthesised. The trianionic ligand behaves as a redox-active ligand to form a ligand radical species upon one-electron oxidation of the complex. The rhodium(III) complexes catalyse C–H amination of external substrates such as xanthene with tosylazide as the nitrene source. DFT-calculation and kinetic deuterium isotope effects indicate that a di-radical rhodium(III) complex formed by one-electron transfer from the redox-active ligand to the nitrene group works as a reactive intermediate to induce aliphatic C–H activation.