Non-symmetrical diarylcarboxylic acids via rhodium(i)-catalyzed regiospecific cross-dehydrogenation coupling of aromatic acids: twofold direct C–H bond activations in water
An efficient, regiospecific, and general cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction of free aryl acids to generate non-symmetrical diaryl acids was developed. This strategy involves a two fold direct C–H activation catalyzed by rhodium in water, and can be easily scaled up.