Kinetic Control of Rh(III)-Catalyzed Annulation of C-H Bonds with Quinones: Chemoselective Synthesis of Hydrophenanthridinones and Phenanthridinones.

A temperature-dependent redox-neutral Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H bond annulation of N-methoxybenzamides with quinones was developed for the chemoselective synthesis of hydrophenanthridinones and phenanthridinones. This reaction involves an Rh(III)-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization and a subsequent cyclization through the directing group nucleophilic addition to the carbonyl group at room temperature.