Efficient Iron/Copper-Cocatalyzed O-Arylation of Phenols with Bromoarenes

Low catalytic amount CuI and Fe(acac)3 were found to effectively promote the C-O cross-coupling reaction in the presence of K2CO3 as the base. A serious of diaryl ethers with different substitutents can be synthesized in good to excellent yields. This efficient and economic method is attractive for applications on an industrial scale.