Directing group

In organic chemistry, a directing group (DG) is a substituent on a molecule or ion that facilitates reactions by interacting with a reagent.

The term is usually applied to C–H activation of hydrocarbons, where it is defined as a "coordinating moiety (an 'internal ligand'), which directs a metal catalyst into the proximity of a certain C–H bond.

[3] Since directing groups are ligands, their effectiveness correlates with their affinities for metals.

Common functional groups such as ketones usually are only weak ligands and thus often are poor DGs.

Subsequent to serving their role as DGs, the imine can hydrolyze, regenerating the ketone and amine.