Ambient-Temperature Ortho C–H Arylation of Benzoic Acids with Aryl Iodides with Ligand-Supported Palladium Catalyst

The ambient-temperature ortho C–H arylation of electron-deficient benzoic acids with aryl iodides has been achieved by using an Ac-Ile-OH-supported Pd catalyst. A wide range of unactivated benzoic acids could cross-couple an array of aryl iodides in moderate to excellent yields. The choice of HFIP as a solvent is crucial to realizing the mild C–H arylation, and the beneficial effect of the ligand on the reaction likely stems from the accelerated C–H activation process and the improved catalyst lifetime.