Rh(III)-Catalyzed acylation of heteroarenes with cyclobutenones via C–H/C–C bond activation.

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed C–H acylation of heteroarenes has been realized using cyclobutenones as an acylating reagent. This coupling proceeded via integration of C–H activation of heteroarenes and C–C cleavage of cyclobutenones. The reaction features excellent regio/chemoselectivity leading to versatile chalcones with exclusive E-selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]