Palladium(II)-catalyzed ortho-arylation via phosphate-group-directed C–H activation

Aryl dialkyl phosphate, which is readily available from phenol, was a good substrate for the Pd(II) catalyzed aryl–aryl coupling reaction through ortho-C–H activation. Although a phosphate group is regarded as a poor coordinating group, highly regioselective ortho-arylation could be achieved by employing Pd(OTf)2·2H2O and Ar2IOTf as a catalyst and an aryl group source, respectively. The phosphate group of the resulting coupled product can be transformed into an aryl anion via reductive cleavage and used for further C–C bond formation.