N-Picolinamides as ligands in Ullman type C–O coupling reactions

Copper-catalyzed modified Ullmann coupling reactions creating C–O bonds, including diaryl ethers or phenols, are vital to organic synthesis. Synthesized N-phenyl-2-pyridinecarboxamide and its derivatives were used as ligands in conjunction with catalytic copper sources in the formation of various diaryl ethers and phenols. Various aryl and heteroaryl halides with electron donating and withdrawing groups were reacted with various phenols under mild reaction conditions providing moderate to excellent yields.