Mild Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Direct ortho‐CH Acylation of Anilides under Aqueous Conditions

Abstract Palladium‐catalyzed cross‐dehydrogenative coupling between anilides and aromatic aldehydes was achieved under aqueous conditions. A wide variety of the desired benzophenone derivatives was isolated in good to excellent yield. The reaction rate acceleration effect of acid and detergent has been demonstrated. Mechanistic insight has been obtained from quantum chemical calculations.