Catalytic Decarboxylative Cross-Coupling of Aryl Chlorides and Benzoates

Goossen et al. have reported the catalytic decarboxylative cross-coupling of aryl chlorides and benzoates. According to their results, a combination of a CuI/3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline decarboxylation catalyst and a (MeCN)₄Pd(OTf)₂/XPhos cross-coupling catalyst effectively acts as a cross-coupling system to afford various biaryls from inexpensive aryl chlorides and potassium benzoates. Although previous decarboxylative cross-couplings are limited to certain ortho-substituted or heterocyclic carboxylate substrates, this bimetallic catalyst system can be applied for substances such as non-ortho-substituted aromatic carboxylates.