para-Selective C-H Olefination of Aniline Derivatives via Pd/S,O-Ligand Catalysis

Herein we report a highly para-selective C-H olefination of aniline derivatives by a Pd/S,O-ligand-based catalyst. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions with high efficiency and broad substrate scope, including mono-, di-, and trisubstituted tertiary, secondary, and primary anilines. The S,O-ligand is responsible for the dramatic improvements in substrate scope and the high para-selectivity observed. This methodology is operationally simple, scalable, and can be performed under aerobic conditions.