Auxiliary-Assisted Palladium-Catalyzed Arylation and Alkylation of sp² and sp³ Carbon−Hydrogen Bonds

We have developed a method for auxiliary-directed, palladium-catalyzed β-arylation and alkylation of sp3 and sp2 C−H bonds in carboxylic acid derivatives. The method employs a carboxylic acid 2-methylthioaniline- or 8-aminoquinoline amide substrate, aryl or alkyl iodide coupling partner, palladium acetate catalyst, and an inorganic base. By employing 2-methylthioaniline auxiliary, selective monoarylation of primary sp3 C−H bonds can be achieved. If arylation of secondary sp3 C−H bonds is desired, 8-aminoquinoline auxiliary may be used. For alkylation of sp3 and sp2 C−H bonds, 8-aminoquinoline auxiliary affords the best results. Some functional group tolerance is observed and amino- and hydroxy-acid derivatives can be functionalized. Preliminary mechanistic studies have been performed. A palladacycle intermediate has been isolated, characterized by X-ray crystallography, and its reactions have been studied.