Palladium‐Catalyzed ortho‐Selective C?H Deuteration of Arenes: Evidence for Superior Reactivity of Weakly Coordinated Palladacycles

We disclose a protocol for the palladium‐catalyzed ortho‐selective C H deuteration of arenes. Phenylacetic acids and benzoic acids are suitable substrates for this reaction. This reaction offers a catalytic route to ortho‐deuterated phenylacetic acids and benzoic acids and demonstrates the sharp difference in reactivity of palladacycle intermediates held together by weak and strong coordination.