CHAPTER 6: Aryl–Aryl Coupling via Cross-Dehydrogenative-Coupling Reactions

The formation of biaryl motifs via oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons is a challenging and highly sought-after process in both academia and industry. Contemporary biaryl coupling techniques include pre-functionalization steps that lower the overall step economy of the reaction and increase expense and waste. The cross-coupling of C–H bonds is a green technique that requires no pre-functionalization and can significantly lower wasteful by-products. This chapter highlights advances in the field of oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons through biaryl cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (CDC). It includes insight into a variety of CDC methods including aerobic coupling and metal-catalyzed CDC using metals such as: Pd, Rh, Ru and Cu. The formation of new C–C bonds through oxidative coupling is a highly desirable process that has developed significantly in the last few years.