Catalytic C–C coupling through C–H arylation of arenes or heteroarenes

The present review refers to catalytic methods to arylate arene or heteroarene compounds. The resulting compounds are ubiquitous in biology and in pharmaceuticals or fine chemicals production. Until a few decades ago they were prepared according to laborious procedures often involving a series of steps all requiring product isolation. Catalytic methods are much simpler and convenient and often consist of one-pot procedures leading to highly selective reactions. The reaction types described here encompass intermolecular as well as intramolecular reactions. Assistance by chelating groups, heteroatoms and metallacycles are considered for metal-catalyzed reactions not involving the use of oxygen or stoichiometric oxidants.