Pd-Catalyzed Unprecedented Cross-Coupling of Mixed Phenols and Halides for the Synthesis of Aromatic Ethers

Phenolic compounds present in medicinal and edible plants such as flavonoids, chalcones, coumarins, quinones, and phenolic acids. The antioxidant potential of phenolic compounds shows potent activities for cancer prevention and its treatment. From a green chemistry point of view, cascade (tandem) reactions are ideal techniques in organic synthesis for building complex structures. Cascade techniques are sometimes observed in coupling reactions under mild conditions with a tolerance of multifunctional groups. It will be interesting to find a cascade type reaction to synthesize polyphenolic ethers. This research project achieves a new cross-coupling method for establishing polyphenolic ethers from mixed phenols and halides in the presence of palladium catalyst in moderate to good yields.