Palladium-catalyzed non-directed C–H bond arylation of difluorobenzenes and dichlorobenzenes bearing benzoxazole or benzothiazole

We report, herein, on palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of difluorobenzenes and dichlorobenzenes bearing benzoxazole or benzothiazole moieties, which don't act as directing groups. With moderate electron-withdrawing substituents on the aryl bromides as coupling partners, the reaction proceeds nicely using phosphine-free PdCl2 catalyst, and potassium pivalate/dimethylacetamide (PivOK/DMA) as catalytic system. The reaction was regioselective and occurred at the less hindered ortho-positions of fluorine or chlorine atoms.

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