Rhodium catalyzed template-assisted distal <i>para</i>-C–H olefination

Abstract

Rhodium catalysis has been extensively used for <i>ortho</i>-C-H functionalization reactions, and successfully extended to <i>meta</i>-C-H functionalization. Its application to <i>para</i>-C-H activation remains an unmet challenge. Herein we disclose the first example of such a reaction, with the Rh-catalyzed <i>para</i>-C-H olefination of arenes. The use of a Si-linked cyanobiphenyl unit as a traceless directing group leads to highly <i>para</i>-selective arene-olefin couplings.