Rhodium(III)-catalyzed intermolecular amidation with azides via C(sp³)-H functionalization.

The amidation reactions of 8-methylquinolines with azides catalyzed by a cationic rhodium(III) complex proceed efficiently to give quinolin-8-ylmethanamine derivatives in good yields via C(sp(3))-H bond activation under external oxidant-free conditions. A catalytically competent five-membered rhodacycle has been isolated and characterized, revealing a key intermediate in the catalytic cycle.