Robust Catalytic SAr H/D Exchange of Arenes with DO: Metal-Free Deuteration of Natural Complexes and Drugs.

A catalytic metal-free approach for the H/D exchange in aromatic compounds using DO as the terminal deuterating reagent has been developed. This metal-free protocol employs a triaryl carbenium as the mediator and showcases a wide applicability in the late-stage deuteration of various natural products and small-molecule drugs. Gram-scale deuteration was successfully demonstrated with β-Estradiol, highlighting the method's practicability.