Rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular oxidative cross-coupling of (hetero)arenes with chalcogenophenes.

A straightforward and efficient method for the rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular oxidative cross-coupling of arenes and heteroarenes with thio- and selenophene derivatives (chalcogenophenes) via double C-H bond cleavage has been developed by using Cu(OAc)2/AgSbF6 as an oxidant. The reaction is applicable to a wide range of (hetero)arenes carrying a directing group and chalcogenophenes to yield substituted biaryl heterocyclic derivatives and oligothiophene derivatives in moderate to high yields.