Rh(III)-catalyzed site-selective hydroarylation of maleimides with 5-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazole frameworks.

The site-selective functionalization of 5-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with maleimides has been achieved using a catalytic amount of rhodium(III) catalyst to afford a series of succinimide-substituted 1,2,4-oxadiazole frameworks. This is the first example of C-H activation of 5-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles using maleimides as coupling partners, demonstrating its broad substrate scope and high functional group tolerance.