Synthesis of unsymmetrical o-biphenols and o-binaphthols via silicon-tethered Pd-catalyzed C-H arylation

A mild, practical, and efficient method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical o-biphenols (including o-phenol-naphthols and o-binaphthols) has been developed. Unsymmetrical bis-aryloxy silanes, which were readily prepared in a semi-one-pot fashion, underwent the Pd-catalyzed intramolecular arylation followed by a routine TBAF desilylation step to furnish valuable unsymmetrical biphenols without necessity of isolation of seven-membered intermediates. The excellent functional group tolerance allows for synthesis of a variety of functionalized o-biphenols and o-binaphthols from easily available staring materials.