Copper-Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Cross-Coupling Reactions of N-para-Tolylamides through Successive C[BOND]H ActivationSynthesis of 4H-3,1-Benzoxazines

A novel annulation reaction of readily available tolylamides was catalyzed by Cu(OTf)₂ in the presence of Selectfluor and water through successive intermolecular CH activated dehydrogenative cross-coupling reactions of benzylic methyl C(sp³)H and aromatic C(sp²)H bonds, and subsequent intramolecular CO bond formation.

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201101391