Palladium-Catalyzed Formation of Diaryl Ethers from Aryl Bromides. Electron Poor Phosphines enhance Reaction Yields

Aryl bromides were converted to diaryl ethers with sodium aryl oxides in the presence of catalytic amounts of Pd(DBA)2 and DPPF. Isolated yields of over 90% were achieved in reactions with electron deficient aryl bromides and electron rich sodium aryl oxides. Electron poor DPPF derivatives led to increased reaction yields. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.