Rhodium(III)-Catalyzed Redox-Neutral C-H Arylation via Rearomatization

Rhodium(III)-catalyzed arylation of arenes bearing a chelating group has been realized via a redox-economy process using 4-hydroxycyclohexa-2,5-dienones as the arylating reagents, leading to the synthesis of 3-arylated phenols. This redox-neutral process proceeds via a C-H activation pathway with rearomatization being the driving force.