This paper describes a new amino-amide-based transient directing group (TDG). The TDG can exhibit better performance in the Pd-catalyzed arylation of aliphatic aldehydes and ketones. This reaction showed good substrate compatibility and regioselectivity. The results indicated that 3-amino-N-isopropylpropionamide was more beneficial to the β-arylation of aliphatic aldehydes than other TDGs under relatively mild conditions.

The direct Pd-catalyzed β-C–H arylation of aldehydes and ketones was developed by using 2-amino-N,N′-diisopropylsuccinamide as a novel transient directing group (TDG). The TDG showed good versatility in functionalizing unactivated β-C–H bonds of aldehydes and ketones. It was effective not only for aliphatic aldehydes and ketones but also for aromatic aldehydes and ketones. Besides, it was applicable to o-methylbenzaldehydes.