Palladium-catalyzed C-H activation of anilides at room temperature: ortho-arylation and acetoxylation

Room-temperature ortho-arylation and acetoxylation of anilides have been achieved using cationic palladium (Pd[TFA](+)) as catalyst and (NH4)(2)S2O8 as oxidant. Preliminary investigation of the mechanism suggests that palladium may have different oxidation states in the catalytic cycles of these two transformations.