Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Direct Cyanation of Aromatic C-H Bond to Form 2-(Alkylamino)benzonitriles Using N-Nitroso As Directing Group

2-(Alkylamino)benzonitriles were synthesized via a rhodium-catalyzed cyanation on the aryl C-H bond and subsequent denitrosation of N-nitrosoarylamines using a removable nitroso as the directing group, in which N-cyano-N-phenyl-p-methylbenzenesulfonamide (NCTS) was used as the CN source. Various substituents on the aryl ring and amino group of N-nitrosoarylamines tolerated the reaction, and the corresponding products were achieved in moderate to good yields.