Arenes stoichiometric biaryl synthesis

Early observations of benzylic acetoxylation were made in the study of arene acetoxylation and biaryl coupling when toluene was used as a substrate. In 1966, the reaction between stoichiometric Pd(OAc)2 and toluene to give benzyl acetate as the major product was disclosed [72]. Two years later, acetoxylation of toluene with catalytic Pd salts was reported by Union Carbide by using phosphines or a combination of Sn(OAc)2, charcoal, and air as oxidant to give 96TONs [73]. Additional metal acetates such as KOAc are beneficial for the reaction [74]. These acetoxylation methods were further applied to other arenes [75] (e.g., benzene, cyclohexene) and the synthesis of benzyl diacetate [76] (a precursor to benzalde-hyde). 

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