[Cp*RhIII ]/Ionic Liquid as a Highly Efficient and Recyclable Catalytic Medium for C-H Amidation.

A [Cp*RhIII ]-catalyzed direct C-H amidation is carried out in ionic liquid. Both C(sp2 )-H bonds of (hetero)arenes and alkenes and unactivated C(sp3 )-H bonds can be easily amidated with high functional-group tolerance and excellent yields under these conditions. Notably, using [Cp*RhIII ]/[BMIM]BF4 (BMIM=1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) as the green and recyclable medium is environmentally benign, in light of characteristics such as the reusability of the expensive rhodium catalyst, avoidance of highly toxic organic solvents, and mild reaction conditions, as well as a short reaction time.