Rhodium-Catalyzed Direct C–H Amidation of Azobenzenes with Sulfonyl Azides: A Synthetic Route to Sterically Hindered <i>ortho</i>-Substituted Aromatic Azo Compounds

A rhodium­(III)-catalyzed direct <i>ortho</i>-amidation of azobenzenes with sulfonyl azides as the amino source is disclosed. This reaction exhibits a broad substrate scope, high functional group tolerance, and regioselectivity, providing a variety of sterically hindered <i>ortho</i>-substituted azobenzene derivatives in good to excellent yield