Direct ortho-Arylation of ortho-Substituted Benzoic Acids: Overriding Pd-Catalyzed Protodecarboxylation

ortho-Arylation of ortho-substituted benzoic acids is a challenging process due to the tendency of the reaction products toward Pd-catalyzed protodecarboxylation. A simple method for preventing decarboxylation in sterically hindered benzoic acids is reported. The method described represents a reliable and broadly applicable entry to 2-aryl-6-substituted benzoic acids.