Iridium-Promoted, Palladium-Catalyzed Direct Arylation of Unactivated Arenes

A Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between Cp*(PMe3)IrBn2 and aryl halides was developed. Examining the scope of this reaction led to the discovery that Cp*(PMe3)IrMeCl activates C-H bonds on arene substrates that undergo subsequent Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling with aryl iodides. This Ir-promoted, Pd-catalyzed direct arylation is notable for its distal selectivity on substituted arenes lacking directing groups or a particular electronic bias.