Pd(0)/Xantphos-Catalyzed Benzylic C(sp3)–O Arylation of Benzyl Heteroaryl Ethers: Reduction of Pd(II) to Pd(0) by Xantphos

Herein, we report the synthesis of 1,1-diarylmethanes via palladium-catalyzed benzylic C(sp³)-O arylation of benzyl alcohol derivatives. An efficient, straightforward approach to synthesizing Pd(0)(xantphos)₂ was developed through in situ reduction of Pd(II) to Pd(0) with the bidentate tertiary phosphine xantphos, which proved to be a highly active precatalyst in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of benzyl heteroaryl ethers.