Copper(II)‐Catalyzed <i>meta‐</i>Selective Direct Arylation of α‐Aryl Carbonyl Compounds

Abstract

Strong competition: A method for the meta-selective arylation of the highly versatile α-aryl carbonyl motif using diaryliodonium salts is described. In this CuII-catalyzed process the remote carbonyl group is capable of overpowering even strongly para-directing functionalities to form the elusive meta-products (see scheme). Remarkably, the arylation process can also operate under metal-free conditions.