Rhodium(III)-catalyzed coupling of aromatic ketazines or oximes with 2-vinyloxirane via C–H activation.

Described herein is a rhodium(III)-catalyzed coupling of aromatic ketazines or oximes with 2-vinyloxirane via directed C–H activation. This reaction proceeds efficiently under mild conditions with a low catalyst loading, especially in conditions with room temperature in the absence of additives for aromatic ketazines. A wide range of substituted substrates is supported and a possible mechanism is proposed according to the experimental results of kinetic isotopic effect, reversibility studies, and catalysis with rhodacycle intermediate c1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]