Direct access to trideuteriomethoxylated aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds has been developed. Various aryl and heteroarylhalides underwent d3-methoxylation under mild reaction conditions by using a catalyst system composed of the commercially available monodentate phosphane ligand tBuXPhos and Pd(OAc)2. Inexpensive CD3OD served as an efficient trideuteriomethoxylating agent.
Synthesis of anisole: Aryl and heteroaryl halides undergo selective CO cross‐coupling reactions with methanol in the presence of a Pd(OAc)2/L3 catalyst system. The corresponding ethers were obtained under mild conditions in good yields. The catalytic methodology was also used for the synthesis of labeled deuterated anisoles in good yields (see scheme).