Ferrocene catalysed C-H arylation of arenes and reaction mechanism study using cyclic voltammetry

Ferrocene catalysed C-H arylation of benzene using aryldiazonium salt is studied. Yield of biphenyl in this reaction was found to be better than some of the known methods. Aryldiazonium salts with electron withdrawing groups produced excellent yields (upto 85%) in C-H arylation. Applicability of this reaction was studied on several arenes and heteroarene such as benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, pyrene and pyridine. Catalytic role of ferrocene in aryl radical formation was studied by cyclic voltammetry of phenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate. In presence of ferrocene more radical formation was observed. This reaction model works at ambient temperature and features the use of inexpensive catalyst for the synthesis of biaryl derivatives. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.