Copper-Catalyzed Direct Acyloxylation of C(sp2)–H Bonds in Aromatic Amides

Copper-catalyzed ortho-acyloxylation of the sp2 C–H bond of aryl amides with carboxylic acids is reported. Benzoic acids, cinnamic acids, and aliphatic acids can be involved, and the desired products were obtained in moderate to good yields. This procedure is compatible with a wide range of functional groups and heteroarenes without the use of any ligands or additives. This method provides an operationally simple approach for the synthesis of benzoate and cinnamate.