Ullmann biaryl synthesis

The Ullmann biaryl synthesis(lQl,102) invokes the reaction of copper powder with aryl halides at relatively high temperatures, typically 100-300 °C, to give biaryl products. The intermediacy of arylcopper species is presumed but not specifically proven due to the instability of the arylcopper at the temperatures required for reaction. The Ullmann reaction has seen appreciable usage as it allows considerable functionality to be incorporated in the products. 

Two reviews have detailed the reactions of aryl halides with copper and copper compounds these are (1) the Ullmann biaryl synthesis, by Fanta 113) and (2) copper-promoted reactions, by Bacon and Hill (9). The mechanism of the Ullmann biaryl synthesis was discussed the possible routes are shown in Eq. (110). No evidence had been obtained... 

The classical methodology of the Ullmann biaryl synthesis was significantly improved by Semmelhack et al. using zero-valent nickel complexes [28]. Aryl iodides were coupled in high yield using bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel(0) as catalyst. Yields were further improved by the application of tetrakis(triphenylphosph-ine)nickel(0) [29] (Scheme 40). 

Organocopper reagents, such as methylcopper prepared from MeLi were also used as catalyst recently [148]. Yields could be further improved by ultrasonic irradiation [149],.as well as under phase transfer conditions [150]. It is surprising that, in contrast to the Ullmann biaryl synthesis, activated aromatic fluoro compounds (e.g. fluoro-esters, -nitrils, -aldehydes and -acetophenones) can couple with phenols in good yield. The reaction does not require any catalysts, but only K2CO3 as a base, [146] (Scheme 56). ... 

---