ortho-Amidation of 2-pyridinyl ferrocenes with 1,4,2-dioxazol-5-ones was achieved via Cp*Co(III)-catalyzed direct C-H bond functionalization reaction. In the presence of Cp*Co(CO)I-2, in combination with AgPF6 and AgOPiv, a wide range of ferrocene-based amidated products were obtained in up to 96% yield under mild reaction conditions. A gram-scale reaction proceeded smoothly with high efficiency. Isoquinoline and pyrimidine are also suitable directing groups in this transformation. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.