Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Biaryls from Arylsilacyclobutanes

Abstract

Aryl(fluoro)silacyclobutanes and aryl(chloro)silacyclobutanes have been found to undergo cross-coupling reactions with aryl iodides. The rate of reaction and extent of homocoupling were dramatically affected by the addition of ligands for the palladium catalyst. With (t-Bu)3P a wide range of electronically and structurally diverse unsymmetrical biaryls have been prepared in good to excellent yields.