Synthesis of functionalized diarylmethanes via a copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of arylmagnesium reagents with benzylic phosphates

A combination of copper chloride, triethyl phosphite, and tetrabutylammonium iodide is a very efficient catalytic system for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized diarylmethanes, using the cross-coupling reaction of arylmagnesium halides with benzylic phosphates. The antibiotic Trimethoprim has been prepared using this Cu(I)-catalyzed cross-coupling in 52% overall yield (four steps).