Nickel-catalyzed site-selective amidation of unactivated C(sp(3))-H bonds.

Intramolecular dehydrogenative cyclization of aliphatic amides was achieved on unactivated sp(3) carbon atoms by a nickel-catalyzed CH bond functionalization process with the assistance of a bidentate directing group. The reaction favors the CH bonds of β-methyl groups over the γ-methyl or β-methylene groups. Additionally, a predominant preference for the β-methyl CH bonds over the aromatic sp(2) CH bonds was observed. Moreover, this process also allows for the effective functionalization of benzylic secondary sp(3) CH bonds.