Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of 2-aryl-1,3-dithianes

Org Lett. 2014 Sep 19;16(18):4730-3. doi: 10.1021/ol502428h. Epub 2014 Sep 5.

Abstract

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl bromides with 2-aryl-1,3-dithianes is described. This methodology takes advantage of the relatively acidic benzylic proton of the dithiane, allowing it to act as a competent, polarity-reversed transmetalation reagent. This unique approach affords the ability to employ an orthogonal deprotection strategy, and practical routes to both diaryl ketones and diarylmethanes are illustrated. Cross-coupling of a range of aryl dithianes with aryl bromides, including scope and current limitations, is presented.