A combination of copper chloride, triethyl phosphite, and tetrabutylammonium iodide is a very efficient catalytic system for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized diarylmethanes, using the cross-coupling reaction of arylmagnesium halides with benzylic phosphates. The antibiotic Trimethoprim has been prepared using this Cu(I)-catalyzed cross-coupling in 52% overall yield (four steps).

Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of arylmagnesium halides with benzylic phosphates efficiently synthesizes polyfunctionalized diarylmethanes, including Trimethoprim, in 52% overall yield.

Paper

Synthesis of functionalized diarylmethanes via a copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of arylmagnesium reagents with benzylic phosphates.

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