Arylacetic Acids in Organic Synthesis

Arylacetic acids are widely used in organic reactions and their recent advances are summarized in six categories according to their triggered pathways: (1) the acid as directing group in ortho‐ or meta‐C−H activation; (2) decarboxylation; (3) deprotonation; (4) nucleophilic methylenes; (5) nucleophilic acids; (6) electrophilic acids. Reactions with alkenes, alkynes, aldehydes, amines, water, Grignard reagents, silanes and so forth are discussed. We hope this Minireview will promote future research in this area. Recent advances are summarized in six categories according to their triggered mechanisms. Arylacetic acids can function as the directing group in sp2 C−H activation, as well as radical precursors, nucleophiles and electrophiles. Decarboxylative coupling, addition, reduction, Friedel‐Crafts reaction, Passerini three‐component reaction and so forth are discussed.