“…Although Smiles rearrangements of diaryl ethers bearing secondary amides have been previously reported, [14] the systems investigated typically involve arenes bearing multiple electron-withdrawing groups (for example, NO 2 , CN, F) or strongly electron-deficient heteroaromatic rings, such as pyridine. [15] In stark contrast, our reaction progresses smoothly in the presence of both electron-neutral and electron-rich phenols. Perhaps most surprisingly, these substrates often outperform their electron-poor counterparts, which are less-tolerated.…”