Pd‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Biphenyls with Methylthio Group

Abstract

The synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryls with a methylthio group is achieved using the air‐stable palladium–phosphinous acid complexes, [(t‐Bu)₂P(OH)]₂ PdCl₂ (POPd), as the catalyst. A great variety of substituted bromobenzenes having electron‐withdrawing and electron‐donating functional groups in para and meta positions have been successfully coupled with 3‐methylthiophenylboronic acid.

Keywords:

• cross‐coupling
• 3‐methylthiophenylboronic acid
• POPd
• substituted bromobenzenes

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Education Department (Grant No. 202193399). We thank Dr. Li, at Combi‐phos Catalysts, Inc., Princeton, N.J., for helpful discussions regarding the use of POPd catalyst and Dr. Yan at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, Del., for valuable suggestions.