Rhodium catalyzed cyanation of chelation assisted C-H bonds.

A rhodium-catalyzed cyanation of chelation assisted C-H bonds is described employing N-cyano-N-phenyl-p-methylbenzenesulfonamide as an efficient cyanating reagent. The present method allowed the synthesis of various benzonitirle derivatives in good to excellent yield. A number of chelating groups are also effective in the present cyanation of C-H bonds. In addition, the developed methodology was applied in the formal synthesis of the isoquinoline alkaloid, menisporphine.