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Density functional theory calculations were performed to study the counterion effect and directing group effect in rhodium mediated concerted metalation deprotonation type C H bond activation of arenes. The use of different carboxylates as counterions results in changes to the activation energies over a narrow range. These changes are mainly attributed to the opposing effects of alkalinity and nucleophilicity of the substituted groups. The effects of directing groups were also considered. By introducing directing groups, the C H bond activation energy is greatly reduced. Our results show that different directing groups have similar effects and activation energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]