2-Hydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline vs 1,10-phenanthroline: significant ligand acceleration effects in the palladium-catalyzed oxidative Heck reaction of arenes.

A series of bidentate monoanionic nitrogen ligands were designed and applied in the Pd-catalyzed oxidative Heck reaction of arenes with alkenes. Significant ligand-accelerated effects were observed, and direct C-H functionalized products were formed in high yields with meta-selectivity.