An iron-catalyzed oxidative unsymmetrical biphenol coupling in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol that proceeds via a chelated radical-anion coupling mechanism was developed. Based on mechanistic studies, electrochemical methods, and density functional theory calculations, we suggest a general model that enables prediction of the feasibility of cross-coupling for a given pair of phenols.

A novel catalytic system for oxidative cross-coupling of readily oxidized phenols with poor nucleophilic phenolic partners based on an iron meso-tetraphenylporphyrin chloride (Fe[TPP]Cl) complex in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFIP) was developed. The unique chemoselectivity of this reaction is attributed to the coupling between a liberated phenoxyl radical with an iron-ligated phenolic coupling partner. The conditions are scalable for preparing a long list of unsymmetrical biphenols assembled from a less reactive phenolic unit substituted with alkyl or halide groups.

Biaryl‐bridged cyclic peptides comprise an intriguing class of structurally diverse natural products with significant biological activity. Especially noteworthy are the antibiotics arylomycin and its synthetic analogue G0775, which exhibits potent activity against Gram‐negative bacteria. Herein, we present a simple, flexible, and reliable strategy based on activating‐group‐assisted catalytic oxidative coupling for assembling biaryl‐bridged cyclic peptides from natural amino acids. The synthetic approach was utilized for preparing a number of natural and unnatural biaryl‐bridged cyclic peptides, including arylomycin/G0775 and RP 66453 cyclic cores.

The selective FeCl 3 -catalyzed oxidative crosscoupling reaction between phenols and primary, secondary, and tertiary 2-aminonaphthalene derivatives was investigated. The generality of this scalable method provides a sustainable alternative for preparing N,O-biaryl compounds that are widely used as ligands and catalysts. Based on a comprehensive kinetic investigation, a catalytic cycle involving a ternary complex that binds to both the coupling partners and the oxidant during the key oxidative coupling step is postulated. Furthermore, the studies showed that the reaction is regulated by off-cycle acid−base and ligand exchange processes.

Biaryl‐bridged cyclic peptides comprise an intriguing class of structurally diverse natural products with significant biological activity. Especially noteworthy are the antibiotics arylomycin and its synthetic analogue G0775, which exhibits potent activity against Gram‐negative bacteria. Herein, we present a simple, flexible, and reliable strategy based on activating‐group‐assisted catalytic oxidative coupling for assembling biaryl‐bridged cyclic peptides from natural amino acids. The synthetic approach was utilized for preparing a number of natural and unnatural biaryl‐bridged cyclic peptides, including arylomycin/G0775 and RP 66453 cyclic cores.