Switchable cyclopalladation of substrates containing two directing groups: on the way to non-symmetrical [2.2]-dipalladaparacyclophanes.

Simple switching of the site-selectivity of C-H activation reactions of substrates containing multiple directing groups is particularly important for the so-called late stage functionalization synthetic approach. In this work, we verified the possibility of achieving this by adding acids of different strengths. Using a substrate containing two differently strong (and basic) directing groups, the influence of the addition of acids on the regioselectivity of the C-H activation step of the reaction with palladium acetate was thoroughly studied.