Palladium-catalyzed remotepara-C-H activation of arenes assisted by a recyclable pyridine-based template

Abstract

Directpara-selective C-H functionalization of arenes remains a daunting challenge and is still significantly restricted to a few scaffolds. Herein, we report an unprecedented pyridine-basedpara-directing template (DT) assisted, Pd-catalyzedpara-C-H alkenylation of three classes of arenes,i.e.phenylpropanoic acids, 2-phenyl benzoic acids and benzyl alcohols, with a series of alkenes including perfluoroalkenes. Notably, the pyridine-basedpara-DT could be easily synthesized and readily recycled under mild conditions. These results may find application in rapid construction ofpara-substituted arenes and stimulate the exploration of novel methods forpara-C-H functionalization of arenes.