C-H/C-D Exchange Reactions of Aromatic Compounds in D2O with NaBD4-Activated Catalysts

A safe and efficient method for catalytic H/D exchange to provide high deuterium incorporation into a variety of aromatic substrates was developed. Systematic screening of the catalyst and activator revealed that the essential activation of the Pd or Rh ­catalyst could be achieved under safe and user friendly conditions. The application of this simple catalytic method for the deuteration of bi- and tricyclic aromatic compounds and chiral natural products was investigated.