Palladium Catalyzed Regioselective Synthesis of Substituted Biaryl Amides through Decarbonylative Arylation of Phthalimides.

The Pd(OAc)2 catalyzed cross-coupling of N-substituted phthalimides with aryl halide provides a single step direct access of a wide range of synthetically appealing ortho-substituted biarylamides in high yields through unique carbonyl (CO) replacement. The reaction proceeds through a ligand-free condition and is well tolerant to the diverse functionality of both imide and halide units. The reaction negates any requirement of organometallic reagent and needs a shorter reaction time and comparatively lower temperature as required for previously reported decarbonylative processes.