Rh(III)-catalyzed cascade oxidative olefination/cyclization of picolinamides and alkenes via C-H activation.

Rh(III)-catalyzed cascade oxidative alkenylation/cyclization of picolinamides and alkenes to furnish pyrido pyrrolone derivatives is described, in which three C-H bonds and one N-H bond broke, while one C-C bond and one C-N bond formed. The reaction proceeded with high yield and high regioselectivity and stereoselectivity. Moreover, copper acetate can also be used in catalytic amounts with O2 serving as the terminal oxidant.