Copper‐Catalyzed Arylation of Olefins Using a Novel N,N‐Bidentate TRAM‐Based Ligand: Application in Synthesis of Functionalized Triarylmethanes[]**

3,3′-((phenylmethylene)bis(4-methoxy-3,1-phenylene))dipyridine L was used as a novel N,N-bidentate triarylmethane-based ligand in Mizoroki-Heck reactions. This air and moisture stable ligand was identified as a useful alternative to the commonly used phosphine ligands. The in-situ generated complex of L with Cu(OAc)2 showed excellent activity in cross coupling of aldehydes with olefins and a selected library of formylated olefins was prepared in high yields. The Friedel-Crafts alkylation of arenes with the derived olefins catalyzed by Fe(OTs)3 was also employed for the preparation of functionalized triarylmethanes. This alternative method offers several important advantages including mild reaction conditions, short reaction times, high yields, simple work-up procedure, and broad substrate scope.