Highly efficient synthesis of phenols by copper-catalyzed hydroxylation of aryl iodides, bromides, and chlorides.

8-Hydroxyquinolin-N-oxide was found to be a very efficient ligand for the copper-catalyzed hydroxylation of aryl iodides, aryl bromides, or aryl chlorides under mild reaction conditions. This methodology provides a direct transformation of aryl halides to phenols and to alkyl aryl ethers. The inexpensive catalytic system showed great functional group tolerance and excellent selectivity.