RhIII-Catalyzed heteroarylation of N-2,6-difluorophenyl arylamides with heteroaryl boronate esters

Abstract

Herein, an efficient strategy to achieve aryl-heteroaryl formation via Rh^III-catalyzed ortho-C(sp²)–H heteroarylation of (hetero)arenes with heterocyclic boronates using a readily removable N-2,6-difluorophenyl arylamide directing group has been disclosed. A variety of heteroaromatic boronates as the coupling partners were shown to be able to participate in this protocol, providing the desired heteroarylated products with high reactivity and good tolerance of functional groups. The achievement of this C(sp²)–H heteroarylation could potentially offer a route to synthesize heterocyclic drug molecules in medicinal chemistry.