Alkoxy base-mediated transition-metal-free cross-coupling reactions of benzene with aryl halides

Abstract

Mixed alkoxy bases (EtOK/t-BuOK) can efficiently promote the cross-coupling of benzene and aryl iodides at 80 °C in the absence of any amine or phenanthroline ligand. This transition-metal-free direct C–H arylation offers a simple and efficient way to synthesize biaryl compounds in good yields.