2,2’-Biaryls, formation using metal catalysts

In the cross-coupling reaction, starting from the simple arene (with directing group), palladation by a Pd(II) salt would lead to the formation of the palladacyclic complex (Ar1Pd(II)L) (Scheme 3). After the transmetallation and reductive elimination processes, the biaryl product is obtained together with Pd(0). If the Pd(0) can be further oxidized to Pd(II) catalyst, a catalytic cycle will be formed. By accomplishing this, arenes (C-H) are used to replace the aryl halides (C-X). Similarly, arenes (C-H) can be used to replace the aryl metals (C-M). 

There has been a review of palladium-catalysed carbonylative coupling reactions of aryl halides with carbon nucleophiles in the presence of carbon monoxide. It has been shown that rhodium is an efficient catalyst for the homocoupling reaction of arylzinc compounds in the presence of 1 atm of carbon monoxide to give diaryl ketones. Under similar conditions, palladium and nickel catalysts yield biaryls. The beneficial catalysis by rhodium is likely to derive from the ease of migration of the aryl ligand to carbon monoxide in the rhodium(III) intermediate. A rhodium catalyst has also been used in the formation of indole-3-carboxylates by reaction of indoles with alcohols in the presence of carbon monoxide. The catalytic cycle. Scheme 5, is likely to involve metallation of the indole at the 3-position, followed... 

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