Rhodium-catalyzed synthesis and reactions of N-acylphthalimides

A complex of [RhH(PPh₃)₄] and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene (dppBz) catalyzes the syntheses and reactions of N-acylphthalimides. N-Acylphthalimides were synthesized by the imidation of thioesters or acid fluorides by N-(organothio)phthalimides. CN bond cleavage in N-acylphthalimides was also catalyzed by the same rhodium complex. Thioesters and N-(phosphinoyl)phthalimides were obtained from reactions with phosphinothioates; acid fluorides and N-(tetrafluoroaryl)phthalimides were obtained from reactions with substituted pentafluorobenzenes.