DEUTERATION OF ACETANILIDES AND OTHER SUBSTITUTED AROMATICS USING [IR(COD)(CY(3)P)(PY)]PF6 AS CATALYST

Deuterium exchange labelling using [Ir(COD)(Cy(3)P)(Py)]PF6 as catalyst and deuterium gas was studied on a number of substituted acetanilides. In most cases products containing deuterium ortho to the anilide group were obtained with a high degree of enrichment. With one exception no evidence for meta, para or anilide methyl labelling was seen. The catalyst was also effective in the ortho deuteration of acetophenone, benzophenone and the p-lactam containing compound Sch 48461.