Arene Functionalization via a Base-Assisted Mechanism

The use of an inter- or intramolecular base to promote C—H activation has been previously described. This section will summarize the use of this promising gadget into a catalytic cycle. Only few computational studies have tackled the overall cycle, as they have been mainly focused in the understanding of the C—H activation step. 

One of the first breakthroughs in this area was presented by Fagnou and coworkers in 2006 [44] on the arylation reaction of electron-deficient benzenes in excellent yields (Fig. 25.32). 

FIGURE 2532 Reaction scheme for the catalytic intermolecular arylation of pentafluorobenzene by Pd(OAc), [44], 

FIGURE 25.33 Transition state computed for the C—H activation step of the arylation reaction of pentafluo-robenzene by Pd(OAc)j [44]. 

This transition state is analogous to the AMLA-6 or CMD transition states, previously described (see Section 25.3.2). 

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