Pd-Catalyzed Site-Selective p‑Hydroxyphenyloxylation of Benzylic α‑C(sp3)–H Bonds with 1,4-Benzoquinone

A Pd-catalyzed, site-selective p-hydroxyphenyloxylation of benzylic α-C­(sp3)–H bonds with 1,4-benzoquinone using thioamide as a directing group is reported. 1,4-Benzoquinone is employed as the p-hydroxyphenyloxy source without extra oxidants. This method exclusively gives site selectivity at α-C­(sp3)–H bonds rather than the usual β-C­(sp3)–H bonds through C–H activation mode. The reactions proceed with high functional group tolerance in yields of 42–93%.