Chelation-directed remote meta-C-H functionalization of aromatic aldehydes and ketones.

We disclose herein the development of a versatile 1,2-diol directing template for palladium-catalyzed remote meta-C-H functionalization of aromatic aldehydes and ketones. In situ-generation of acetals and ketals, as well as removal afterwards, makes the C-H bond functionalization process more straightforward and efficient. This also represents the first example of chelation-directed meta-C-H functionalization of aromatic aldehydes and ketones.