[Cp*RhCl2]2-catalyzed ortho-C-H bond amination of acetophenone o-methyloximes with primary N-chloroalkylamines: convenient synthesis of N-alkyl-2-acylanilines.

Rh(III)-catalyzed aromatic C-H amination of acetophenone o-methyloximes with primary N-chloroalkylamines was developed, and the arylamine products were obtained in up to 92% yield. The reaction probably involves rate-limiting electrophilic C-H bond cleavage (kH/kD = 2).