Pd-catalyzed Oxidative Coupling of Arene C-H Bonds with Benzylic Ethers As Acyl Equivalents

A palladium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of arene C-H bonds with benzylic ethers via C-H bond activation is described. The reaction proceeds efficiently with a broad range of substrates bearing conventional directing groups with excellent functional group compatibility. This protocol potentially provides opportunities to use dibenzyl ethers as new acyl equivalents for catalytic acylation reactions.