P(i-BuNCH sub(2)CH sub(2)) sub(3)N: an efficient promoter for the microwave synthesis of diaryl ethers

With the title proazaphosphatrane as a promoter, the coupling of aryl fluorides with aryl TBDMS ethers under microwave conditions gave moderate to high yields of the desired products at low catalyst loadings and in short times. In this methodology, electron deficient aryl fluorides possessing substituents, such as nitro, cyano, and ester, were coupled with sterically demanding aryl TBDMS ethers as well as with aryl TBDMS ethers bearing a variety of functionalities such as methoxy, halo, and cyano groups.