Cu(OTf)(2)-mediated Chan-Lam reaction of carboxylic acids to access phenolic esters.

A Cu(OTf)(2)-mediated Chan-Lam reaction of carboxylic acids with arylboronic acids is described. It represents a facile and practical methodology to access phenolic esters in moderate to good yields. The procedure tolerates a series of functional groups, such as methoxycarbonyl, acetoxy, free phenolic hydroxyl, vinyl, nitro, trifluoromethyl, methoxyl, bromo, chloro, iodo, and acetyl groups.