Cobalt-Catalyzed Intramolecular Oxidative C(sp3)-H/N-H Carbonylation of Aliphatic Amides.

A cobalt-catalyzed reaction protocol is developed to achieve the intramolecular oxidative C(sp3)-H/N-H carbonylation of aliphatic amides with CO. Various substituted propanamides are selectively transformed into corresponding succinimides in good to high yields. Notably, predominant selectivity for the carbonylation at the α-methyl groups of linear aliphatic amides is observed in this reaction system.