Synthesis of aryl ethers from benzoates through carboxylate-directed C-H-activating alkoxylation with concomitant protodecarboxylation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.201208755

One in, one out: In the presence of a copper/silver bimetallic catalyst system, aromatic carboxylate salts undergo ortho C-H alkoxylation with concomitant loss of the carboxylate directing group in a protodecarboxylation step (see scheme, FG=functional group). This process provides a convenient synthetic access to the important class of aromatic ethers from widely available carboxylic acids. Copyright