Iridium/Copper‐Catalyzed Oxidative C−H/O−H Annulation of Benzoic Acids with Saturated Ketones for Accessing 3‐Substituted Phthalides

Abstract

AbstractA catalytic annulation cascade is achieved that affords an efficient access to phthalides from readily available benzoic acids and saturated ketones. The reaction is catalyzed by a bimetallic Ir/Cu system and proceeds via the combination of Cu‐catalyzed dehydrogenation of ketones and Ir‐catalyzed direct C−H functionalization under the assistance of the weakly coordinating carboxyl followed by the β−H elimination and intramolecular Michael addition. This method shows a broad scope of substrates and good functional group tolerance. The protocol furnishes an alternative strategy for the construction of diverse 3‐substituted phthalides.