Palladium-catalyzed meta-C H bond iodination of arenes with I2

Abstract Palladium-catalyzed highly meta-selective C H iodination of phenylacetic acid, benzylphosphonate and benzylsulfonate scaffolds with molecular I2 is developed using a pyridine-type template. The practical ester linkages enable the directing template easily installed and readily removed. The substrate scope is broad, and alkyl, methoxyl, trifluomethyl, and halo substituents are compatible with this reaction. Further transformations of ibuprofen iodide intermediates by Pd-catalyzed C C and C–heteroatom bond formation illustrate the broad utility of this method.