CoIII-Catalyzed Isonitrile Insertion/Acyl Group Migration Between C?H and N?H bonds of Arylamides
A general efficient and site-selective cobalt-catalyzed insertion of isonitrile into C?H and N?H bonds of arylamides through C?H bond activation and alcohol assisted intramolecular trans-amidation is demonstrated. This straightforward approach overcomes the limitation by the presence of strongly chelating groups. Isolation of CoIII-isonitrile complex B has been achieved for the first time to understand the reaction mechanism.