Amides as Weak Coordinating Groups in Proximal C-H Bond Activation

Site selectivity is an inherent challenge in C-H functionalization reactions. The most intensively sought-after approaches have involved the employment of Lewis-basic coordinating groups to direct a metal to a proximal site, in the process generating a metallacycle capable of further organometallic reactivity. In the recent years considerable effort has been directed towards the development of new transformations involving transition-metal-mediated C-H functionalization directed by weakly coordinating groups. This microreview focuses on the role and utility of amides and anilides in directed, proximal C-H bond functionalization reactions.