Palladium-catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling reactions between acetanilides and benzylicalcohols under aqueous conditions are reported. A wide range of benzophenone derivatives could be obtained in good to excellent yields up to 98 %. Mechanism studies showed that a bimetallic palladium cyclopalladated complex might be involved in the catalysis.
Palladium‐catalyzed cross‐dehydrogenative coupling between anilides and aromatic aldehydes was achieved under aqueous conditions. A wide variety of the desired benzophenone derivatives was isolated in good to excellent yield. The reaction rate acceleration effect of acid and detergent has been demonstrated. Mechanistic insight has been obtained from quantum chemical calculations.