Directed meta-Selective Bromination of Arenes with Ruthenium Catalysts.

A Ru-catalyzed direct CH activation/meta-bromination of arenes bearing pyridyl, pyrimidyl, and pyrazolyl directing groups has been developed. A series of bromo aryl pyridines and pyrimidines have been synthesized, and further coupling reactions have also been demonstrated for a number of representative functionalized arenes. Preliminary mechanistic studies have revealed that this reaction may proceed through radical-mediated bromination when NBS is utilized as the bromine source. This type of transformation has opened up a new direction for the radical non-ipso functionalization of metal with regard to future CH activation development that would allow the remote functionalization of aromatic systems.