Iridium-Catalyzed Direct C-H Amidation with Weakly Coordinating Carbonyl Directing Groups under Mild Conditions

An iridium-catalyzed direct CH amidation of weakly coordinating substrates, in particular of those bearing ester and ketone groups, under very mild conditions has been developed. The observed high reaction efficiency was achieved by the combined use of acetic acid and lithium carbonate as additives.