Nickel-catalyzed site-selective amidation of unactivated C(sp ³)-H bonds

Intramolecular dehydrogenative cyclization of aliphatic amides was achieved on unactivated sp³ carbon atoms by a nickel-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization process with the assistance of a bidentate directing group. The reaction favors the C-H bonds of β-methyl groups over the γ-methyl or β-methylene groups. Additionally, a predominant preference for the β-methyl C-H bonds over the aromatic sp² C-H bonds was observed. Moreover, this process also allows for the effective functionalization of benzylic secondary sp³ C-H bonds. β-Lactams from nickel catalysis: Intramolecular dehydrogenative cyclization of aliphatic amides was achieved on unactivated sp³ carbon atoms by a nickel-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization process with the assistance of a bidentate directing group (see scheme).