Pd-Catalyzed C-H activation/oxidative cyclization of acetanilide with norbornene: concise access to functionalized indolinesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental section, characterization of all compounds, copies of 1H and 13C NMR spectra for selected compounds. CCDC 988826. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c4cc03062a

An efficient Pd-catalyzed oxidative cyclization reaction for the synthesis of functionalized indolines by direct C-H activation of acetanilide has been developed. The norbornylpalladium species formed via direct ortho C-H activation of acetanilides is supposed to be a key intermediate in this transformation. An efficient Pd-catalyzed C-H activation/oxidative cyclization reaction of acetanilide with norbornene for the synthesis of functionalized indolines has been developed.