Palladium catalyzed radical relay for the oxidative cross-coupling of quinolines

Traditional approaches for transition-metal catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling reactions rely on sp(2)-hybridized starting materials, such as aryl halides, and more specifically, homogeneous catalysts. We report a heterogeneous Pd-catalyzed radical relay method for the conversion of a heteroarene C(sp(3))–H bond into ethers. Pd nanoparticles are supported on an ordered mesoporous composite which, when compared with microporous activated carbons, greatly increases the Pd d charge because of their strong interaction with N-doped anatase nanocrystals. Mechanistic studies provide evidence that electron-deficient Pd with Pd–O/N coordinations efficiently catalyzes the radical relay reaction to release diffusible methoxyl radicals, and highlight the difference between this surface reaction and C–H oxidation mediated by homogeneous catalysts that operate with cyclopalladated intermediates. The reactions proceed efficiently with a turn-over frequency of 84 h(−1) and high selectivity toward ethers of >99%. Negligible Pd leaching and activity loss are observed after 7 catalytic runs.