Development of Pd-catalyzed denitrative couplings

Transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling between aryl halides and nucleophiles is one of the most reliable C-C and C-heteroatom bond forming reactions. However, preparation of haloarenes usually requires multi-step operation, making the whole cross-coupling process inefficient. Nitroarenes, synthesized by a single-step nitration of arenes, can be attractive alternatives as electrophiles in cross-coupling methodology, but inherent inertness of C(sp ²)-NO ₂ bonds toward metal catalysts has been a bottleneck of general denitrative transformations. Recently, we have overcome this obstacle and achieved direct activation of Ar-NO ₂ bonds by using Pd/BrettPhos catalysis. Herein, we describe the development of denitrative couplings by Pd/BrettPhos catalyst and its unique suitability from a mechanistic point of view. Deep understanding of reaction mechanism also enabled us to design more active Pd/NHC system.