New synthesis of biaryls via Rh-catalyzed decarbonylative Suzuki-coupling of carboxylic anhydrides with arylboroxines

The catalytic cross-coupling of aromatic carboxylic anhydrides or acid chlorides with triarylboroxines has been achieved for the first time under decarbonylation, giving rise to the unsymmetrical biaryls rather than the expected diaryl ketones. This new decarbonylative Suzuki coupling, catalyzed by a [Rh(ethylene)(2)Cl](2)/KF system, can be applied to aromatic, heteroaromatic and vinylic carboxylic anhydrides, potentially opening up new perspectives for the use of carboxylic acid derivatives as substrates in biaryl syntheses.