Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed C−H Alkenylation of 1,8‐Naphthalimide with Cyclic Imide as a Weakly Coordinating Directing Group

Ruthenium‐catalyzed direct C−H alkenylation of 1,8‐naphthalimide has been explored using cyclic imide as a weak directing group and successfully introduce alkenyl group(s) into 1,8‐naphthalimide skeleton at the inactive C2 and/or C7 position(s). The aromatic ring of 1,8‐naphthalimide is substituted with electron‐withdrawing and ‐donating groups, and N‐alkyl/aryl groups on cyclic imide are compatible in these coupling reactions. Ruthenium‐catalyzed C−H alkenylation of 1,8‐naphthalimide with various acrylates at inactive C‐2 and/or C7 positions has been achieved. It features a broad substrate scope and good yield. This synthetic protocol may open a novel perspective to access important substitution at inactive C−H bond(s) of 1,8‐naphthalimides.