H-D Exchange Deuteration of Arenes at Room Temperature

Arene nuclei efficiently underwent the hydrogen (H)-deuterium (D) exchange reaction catalyzed by platinum group metals on carbon in a mixed solvent of 2-propanol and D2O at room temperature to produce deuterium-labeled arenes. Platinum on carbon (Pt/C) and iridium on carbon (Ir/C) were applicable catalysts, and the various arenes bearing a carbonyl group, fluorine, phenolic hydroxy group, amino group, or phosphonic acid on the aromatic nucleus were effectively deuterated. Nonheating conditions are valuable for the scalable industrial preparation.