Methylene Thiazolidinediones as Alkylation Reagents in Catalytic C–H Functionalization: Rapid Access to Glitazones

The straightforward and rapid incorporation of a thiazolidinedione scaffold into prefunctionalized (hetero)aromatic compounds is in demand for the development of antidiabetic glitazones and other pharmaceuticals. Herein, we report the unprecedented N- and O-directed C–H alkylation of various (hetero)arenes with methylene thiazolidinediones under rhodium(III) catalysis. The applicability of the developed protocol in challenging contexts is exhibited by the late-stage installation of a methylene thiazolidinedione moiety on the C–H bond of commercially available drug molecules. Combined mechanistic investigations aided the elucidation of a plausible reaction mechanism.