Rhodium(III)-catalyzed C-H alkynylation of azomethine ylides under mild conditions

Rh(III)-catalyzed efficient C-H alkynylation of azomethine imines with alkynylated hypervalent iodine is developed under mild conditions. A broad scope of azomethine imines and alkyne substrates is established. The azomethine acts as a masked aldehyde and circumvents its poor directing effect.