Rhodium-Catalyzed C(sp)-O Cross Couplings of Diazo Quinones with Phenols to Construct Diaryl Ethers.

The diaryl ether represents a prevalent structural motif found in numerous biologically active molecules. Herein, we describe a dirhodium-catalyzed C(sp)-O cross coupling reaction between diazo quinones and phenols for the construction of diaryl ethers in moderate to high yields. The reaction proceeds under mild and neutral conditions and is tolerant of various functional groups. The synthetic method has been successfully applied to the concise synthesis of a Navl.7 inhibitor.