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Rhodium Catalysts Based on Polyphenyl-Substituted Cp Ligands for Regioselective Annulation of Aryl Hydroxamates with Terminal Alkenes
The readily available tetraphenylcyclopentadienyl rhodium complex [CpPh4RhCl2]2 effectively catalyzes the annulation of aryl hydroxamates with terminal alkenes to selectively form 4-substituted dihydroisoquinolones. The ligand volume has a crucial influence on the selectivity and efficiency of the reaction. The use of the overloaded pentaphenylcyclopentadienyl ligand CpPh5 or its less bulky pentabenzyl analog CpBn5 resulted in a dramatic decrease in the efficiency or regioselectivity, respectively. The developed protocol was used for the synthesis of the precursor of the spermidine alkaloid cyclocelabenzine from N-(pivaloyloxy)benzamide and N-allylphthalimide. These results highlight the potential of phenyl-substituted Cp ligands for the design of efficient catalysts for C–H activation reactions.