Catalytic Arylation Reactions by CH Bond Activation with Aryl Tosylates

Select and direct: A ruthenium complex derived from an air-stable diaminophosphine oxide preligand allows for highly efficient and selective direct arylation reactions using aryl tosylates. The reactions proceed through CH bond activation and tolerate pronucleophiles with different directing groups, including pyrazole derivatives (see scheme; NMP=N-methylpyrrolidinone, OTs=tosylate).