Palladium-catalyzed C–H arylation using aryltrifluoroborates in conjunction with a MnIII oxidant under mild conditions

This paper describes the development of a mild Pd-catalyzed C–H arylation reaction using potassium aryltrifluoroborates in conjunction with Mn(OAc)3 as the oxidant. The scope of this transformation is explored with a variety of different aryltrifluoroborates and arylpyridine substrates. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds via a high-valent Pd mechanism with C–H activation occurring at or before the rate determining step.