Palladium-catalyzed formation of diaryl ethers from aryl bromides. Electron poor phosphines enhance reaction yields

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)10175-7

Aryl bromides were converted to diaryl ethers with sodium aryl oxides in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pd(DBA)₂ and DPPF. Isolated yields of over 90% were achieved in reactions with electron deficient aryl bromides and electron rich sodium aryl oxides. Electron poor DPPF derivatives led to increased reaction yields.