Directing Hydrogen Isotope Exchange with Aryl Carboxylic Acids

Abstract

A highly effective and selective ortho-directed hydrogen isotope exchange process for aryl carboxylic acids has been achieved using an iridium(I) N-heterocyclic carbene/phosphine complex under mild and neutral conditions. Good levels of deuterium incorporation have been delivered across a wide array of examples, including within a number of biologically active drug compounds.