Expanding the Scope of Electron-Deficient C-H Building Blocks: Direct Arylation of Pyromellitic Acid Diimide.

Abstract

Direct C–H activation of pyromellitic diimide (PMDI) is reported for the first time. The method avoids cumbersome pathways involving bromination usually required for further cross-coupling. Good to excellent yields of mono- and di-substituted PMDI derivatives can be obtained under optimized reaction conditions. The reaction scope was also explored, and the materials were characterized with respect to their thermal, optical, and electronic properties.