Regioselectivity in the Aryne Cross-Coupling of Aryllithiums with Functionalized 1,2-Dibromobenzenes

Tri- and tetrasubstituted ortho-bromobiaryls have been synthesized in good-to-excellent yields by aryne cross-coupling reactions starting from 1,3-dimethoxybenzene and functionalized 1,2-dibromobenzenes. This study outlines the influence of the 1,2-dibromobenzene precursor as well as the reaction temperature on the outcome of the aryl-aryl bond formation and indicates, in the case of dissymmetrical benzyne precursors, how structural parameters (electronic effects, steric hindrance, temperature, etc.) control the regioselectivity of the aryne cross-coupling reactions.