Ligand-Enabled Auxiliary-Free meta-C-H Arylation of Phenylacetic Acids

Abstract

The meta-C-H arylation of free phenylacetic acid was realized using 2-carbomethoxynorbornene (NBE-CO₂ Me) as a transient mediator. Both the modified norbornene and the mono-protected 3-amino-2-hydroxypyridine type ligand are crucial for this auxiliary-free meta-C-H arylation reaction. A series of phenylacetic acids, including mandelic acid and phenylglycine, react smoothly with various aryl iodides to provide the meta-arylated products in high yields.

Keywords: C−H activation; arylation; homogeneous catalysis; norbonenes; phenylacetic acid.