Abstract: A novel and efficient catalytic system for ortho-arylation of sp2 C—H bond substrates containing the directing group using cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine as catalyst was developed. The arylation showed high regioselectivity and only occurred on the less sterically hinderd ortho-C—H bond. The reaction could be compatible to diverse functional groups such as CH3, CH3O, and CH3CO, as well as Br and Cl substituents, which would permit to be functionalized further to construct new compounds with more complicated structures.

Key words: Cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine, ortho-Arylation, C—H activation, C—C coupling reaction