4′-Hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-carbonitrile

4′-Hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2-carbonitrile is an effective temporary directing group (TDG) for meta directed C-H functionalization, effective in many transformations including olefination, silylation, and cyanation of arenes.

A temporary directing group (TDG) to assist as a co-catalyst for metal catalyzed C-H functionalization. Often in C-H functionalization, an auxiliary compound is used to control site selectivity. These traditionally are covalently bonded to the compound of interest, and must subsequently be removed after functionalization, like a typical protecting group. To simplify the process of C-H functionalization, 2-fluoro-6-(pyrimidin-5-yl)aniline is one of a series of temporary directing groups developed by Deb Maiti′s lab that promote site selectivity without the inclusion of additional synthetic steps.