Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed Directed C−H Amidation of N‐Nitrosoanilines and Subsequent Formation of 1,2‐Disubstituted Benzimidazoles

An efficient rhodium‐catalyzed direct C−H amidation of N ‐nitrosoanilines with 1,4,2‐dioxazol‐5‐ones as amidating agents has been developed. This method featured mild reaction conditions, a wide substrate scope and satisfactory yields. Besides, the amidated products could be readily converted to pharmaceutically valuable 1,2‐disubstituted benzimidazoles via an HCl‐mediated deprotection/cyclization process in one pot.