Metal-Catalyzed Aromatic C-O Bond Activation/Transformation

Phenol derivatives have attracted significant attention as a renewable aromatic feedstock for the production of organic compounds that are required by society. However, the inertness of a C(aryl)-O bond of phenol derivatives poses a significant challenge for the direct functionalization at the ipso position. This review summarizes the recent advances in the area of catalytic transformations of unactivated phenol derivatives via the activation of C(aryl)-O bonds of aryl esters, carbamates, and ethers as well as arenols. The most intensively studied catalysts are nickel complexes, which allow a range of nucleophiles to be coupled with phenol derivatives. Group 8 and 9 metal complexes have also been used to activate C(aryl)-O bond of such phenol derivatives, and these are also covered in this review.