Copper-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative C-H arylation of benzoxazoles with 2-nitrobenzoic acids.

A copper-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylative coupling of benzoxazoles with 2-nitrobenzoic acids was developed. This methodology favors electron-rich benzoxazoles and electron-deficient benzoic acids and enables the preparation of a variety of arylated benzoxazoles in good yields. The trends in product yields suggest a delicate balance between the decarboxylation and C-H arylation steps.