RhIII-catalyzed aryl C–H vinylation for the preparation of styrenes by using vinylacetate, a commercially available and inexpensive compound, as the vinyl source was successfully realized. This method enables various aromatics including N-sulfonyl ketimines, pyridines, azoles, and amides to be vinylated in moderate to good yields.
A useful method for the synthesis of ortho-olefinated ketimines from readily accessible cyclic N-sulfonyl ketimines and various olefins has been achieved. The reactions proceeded by Rh(III)-catalyzed, N-sulfonyl ketimine-directed C-H cleavage under aerobic conditions. Further synthetic transformations of the olefinic products led to interesting heterocyclic molecules.