Rh(I)-catalyzed CO gas-free carbonylative cyclization of organic halides with tethered nucleophiles using aldehydes as a substitute for carbon monoxide

The CO gas-free carbonylative cyclization of organic halides, with tethered nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon nucleophiles, with aldehydes as a substitute for carbon monoxide can be achieved in the presence of a catalytic amount of a rhodium complex. The reaction involves the decarbonylation of the aldehyde by the rhodium catalyst, and the successive carbonylation of an organic halide utilizing the rhodium carbonyl that is formed in situ. Aldehydes having electron-withdrawing groups showed a higher ability to donate the carbonyl moiety.