Cu-Rh redox relay catalysts for synthesis of azaheterocycles via C-H functionalization

This Highlight Review describes a Cu-Rh bimetallic redox relay catalytic system that enables efficient synthesis of highly substituted isoquinolines and their derivatives from readily available aryl ketoximes or α-arylvinyl azides with internal alkynes via C-H bond functionalization. A preliminary mechanistic investigation revealed that both the Cu and Rh catalysts are prerequisites to achieve the present process, and play their particular roles with synergistic cooperation during the multistep sequence.