We have developed a synthesis of 1,2‐substituted adamantane carboxylic acids and further bridged cycloalkanes (cage compounds) by palladium acetate‐catalyzed C−H bond oxidation. Acetoxylation of cycloalkane framework was performed using picolylamide as a directing group. Modification of the substrate, ligand design and variation of reaction conditions enabled us to study the mechanism of acetoxylation
We have developed an effective approach to 1,2‐disubstituted diamondoids by palladium(II) acetate catalyzed functionalization of CH bond. Selective mono‐arylation of the adamantane framework was achieved using picolylamide as a directing group in yields up to 87 %. Kinetic studies in combination with deuterium labeling experiments, competitive experiments and mass spectrometry contribute to the mechanistic