Glyoxal bis(phenylhydrazone) as promoter for CuI-catalyzed O-arylation of phenols with bromoarenes

A very simple bishydrazone-type ligand, glyoxal bis(phenylhydrazone) (L1), was found to effectively promote the CuI-catalyzed O-arylation of phenols with aryl bromides. This cross-coupling reaction proceeded in acetonitrile at 60-80 °C in the presence of K₃PO₄ as base. A diverse array of phenols and bromoarenes was employed as substrates to afford diaryl ethers in good to excellent yields, and some base-sensitive groups, such as ester, aldehyde, and ketone groups, can survive under the mild reaction conditions.