Triazole-Enabled Ruthenium(II)carboxylate-Catalyzed C–H Arylation with Electron-deficient Aryl Halides

The triazole-directed direct C–H arylation of arenes with electron-deficient aryl halides and a synthetically-useful pyrimidyl chloride was achieved via ruthenium catalysis. Our novel strategy provides operationally-simple and environmentally-benign access to highly functionalized heteroarenes, avoiding the use strong organometallic bases. Detailed studies revealed a significant effect of the phosphine ligand, thus allowing for the reaction to occur with excellent levels of chemo- and position-selectivity.