RhIII‐Catalysed Hydrazine‐Directed C(sp2)–H Amination of Phenidones with N‐Alkyl‐O‐benzoyl‐hydroxylamines
A RhIII-catalysed ortho C–H amination of phenidones under mild conditions was developed using N-alkyl-O-benzoyl-hydroxylamines as aminating agents, and with a cyclic hydrazine moiety as a directing group, yields of up to 97 % and a high functional group tolerance were observed. This strategy offers an alternative route for the synthesis of amino analogues of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor phenidone, and the products are valuable for further functional group transformations.