Rhodium-catalyzed selective C-H activation/olefination of phenol carbamates.

Rh(III)-catalyzed ortho C-H activation/olefination of phenol carbamates has been developed. High regioselectivity is observed with a range of phenol carbamates enabling efficient coupling with acrylates and styrenes. This reaction exhibits different reactivity as compared to the Pd-catalyzed ortho-arylation reaction of phenol esters and provides a new approach for the synthesis of ortho-substituted phenols.