CuBr/proline-catalyzed cross-coupling of unactivated benzene with aryl halides

Direct CH arylation of unactivated benzene with aryl halides was achieved using a readily available copper catalyst. The reaction was carried out at 80 degrees C, using CuBr as catalyst, proline as ligand and t-BuOK as base. This radical cross-coupling reaction between unactivated benzene and aryl iodides proceeds via homolytic aromatic substitution and offers an efficient method for the synthesis of various biaryls in good to excellent yields. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.