Synthesis of Biaryls and Oligoarenes Using Aryl[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]dimethylsilanes

Abstract

Through intramolecular activation, highly stable aryl[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]dimethylsilanes can selectively transfer their aryl groups to effect a cross-coupling reaction with various aryl bromides and chlorides in the presence of a weak non-fluoride base and a palladium/copper catalyst. This reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups, producing the corresponding functionalized biaryls in high yields with excellent chemoselectivity. Newly disclosed reaction conditions allow the recovery of a cyclic silyl ether in modest-to-good yields and reuse for the synthesis of the arylsilanes. The introduction of two isopropyl groups on the silicon center instead of methyl groups improves the stability and allows quantitative recovery of the silicon residue. Finally, aryl halides having an O-protected [2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]dimethylsilyl group cross-couple with the arylsilane reagents to give silyl-functionalized biaryls. Upon deprotection, the biaryls further react with the silylated electrophiles. The iterative cross-coupling–deprotection sequences allow rapid assembly of silylated oligoarenes. Syntheses of di- and trisilyloligoarenes are also achieved by use of orthogonal O-protecting groups.