Ligand-Controlled C?O Bond Coupling of Carboxylic Acids and Aryl Iodides: Experimental and Computational Insights

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/adsc.201901136

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions between carboxylic acids and aryl halides have several possible competitive pathways. Decarboxylative C?C bond coupling and C?H arylation are well established in the literature. However, direct C?O bond coupling between carboxylic acids and aryl halides has received little success. In this report, we describe a protocol for exclusive C?O bond formation, enabled by a bidentate N,N-ligand such as 1,10-phenanthroline. The reaction is general for a broad range of carboxylic acids and iodoarenes. Experimental evidence and computational results suggest a high energy barrier for the alternative pathway of decarboxylative carbon-carbon bond coupling. (Figure presented.).