HMF and furfural: Promising platform molecules in rhodium-catalyzed carbonylation reactions for the synthesis of furfuryl esters and tertiary amides

•The first rhodium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of furfuryl esters.•5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was used as both substrate and CO surrogate.•Tertiary amides were obtained from tertiary amines in the absence of additional oxidant.•Both alkyl and aryl iodides are applicable.