(Ph3P)AuCl-catalyzed homocoupling of arylboronic acids under benchtop conditions: Synthesis of biphenyls

Abstract

(Ph3P)AuCl was discovered to be a powerful catalyst in the homocoupling of arylboronic acids and potassium aryltrifluoroborates for the synthesis of symmetrical biaryls. The reactions take place under benchtop reaction conditions in 96% EtOH at temperatures between rt and 50 °C with no exclusion of air or humidity, in the presence of F-TEDA (Selectfluor™) as an oxidant. The procedure is very functional group tolerant, and affords the corresponding biaryls in high yields with large substrate scope (26 examples).