Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective ortho-Acylation of Azoxybenzenes under Aqueous Conditions

A facile and efficient protocol for palladium-catalyzed ortho-acylation of azoxybenzenes has been developed under aqueous conditions. In this process, the alcohols were oxidized into the corresponding aldehydes in situ, which coupled with azoxybenzenes with excellent regioselectivity, affording the acylated azoxybenzenes in moderate to good yields. A variety of functional groups were tolerated in this procedure.