Rhodium-Catalyzed Direct C-H Amidation of Azobenzenes with Sulfonyl Azides: A Synthetic Route to Sterically Hindered ortho-Substituted Aromatic Azo Compounds

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed direct ortho-amidation of azobenzenes with sulfonyl azides as the amino source is disclosed. This reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope, high functional group tolerance, and regioselectivity, providing a variety of sterically hindered ortho-substituted azobenzene derivatives in good to excellent yield.