Deuteration of acetanilides and other substituted aromatics using [Ir(COD)(Cy3P)(Py)]PF6 as catalyst

Deuterium exchange labelling using [Ir(COD)(Cy 3 P)(Py)]PF 6 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 β‐lactam containing compound Sch 48461.