title: Synthesis of functionalized diarylmethanes via a copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of arylmagnesium reagents with benzylic phosphates.
abstract: A combination of copper chloride, triethyl phosphite, and tetrabutylammonium iodide is a very efficient catalytic system for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized diarylmethanes, using the cross-coupling reaction of arylmagnesium halides with benzylic phosphates. The antibiotic Trimethoprim has been prepared using this Cu(I)-catalyzed cross-coupling in 52% overall yield (four steps).
authors.affiliation: Department Chemie und Biochemie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Butenandtstrasse 5-13, 81377 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Kofink
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Knochel