Precise Monoselective Aromatic C-H Bond Activation by Chemisorption of Meta-Aryne on a Metal Surface

Aromatic C-H bond activation has attracted much attention due to its versatile applications in the synthesis of aryl-containing chemicals. The major challenge lies in the minimization of the activation barrier and maximization of the regioselectivity. Here, we report the highly selective activation of the central aromatic C-H bond in meta-aryne species anchored to a copper surface, which catalyzes the C-H bond dissociation. Two prototype molecules, i.e., 4',6'-dibromo-meta-terphenyl and 3',5'-dibromo-ortho-terphenyl, have been employed to perform C-C coupling reactions on Cu(III). The chemical structures of the resulting products have been clarified by a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy and noncontact atomic force microscopy. Both methods demonstrate a remarkable weakening of the targeted C-H bond. Density functional theory calculations reveal that this efficient C-H activation stems from the extraordinary chemisorption of the meta-aryne on the Cu(III) surface, resulting in the close proximity of the targeted C-H group to the Cu(III) surface and the absence of planarity of the phenyl ring. These effects lead to a lowering of the C-H dissociation barrier from 1.80 to 1.12 eV, in agreement with the experimental data.