title: A Catalyst-Controlled Aerobic Coupling of ortho-Quinones and Phenols Applied to the Synthesis of Aryl Ethers.
abstract: ortho-Quinones are underutilized six-carbon-atom building blocks. We herein describe an approach for controlling their reactivity with copper that gives rise to a catalytic aerobic cross-coupling with phenols. The resulting aryl ethers are generated in high yield across a broad substrate scope under mild conditions. This method represents a unique example where the covalent modification of an ortho-quinone is catalyzed by a transition metal, creating new opportunities for their utilization in synthesis.
authors: Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0B8, Canada.
authors: Zheng
authors: Z
authors: Huang
authors: Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0B8, Canada. jean-philip.lumb@mcgill.ca.
authors: Jean-Philip
authors: JP
authors: Lumb
keywords: aerobic oxidation; aryl ethers; copper catalysis; ortho-quinones; phenols