Pd-catalyzed amination of isomeric dibromobiphenyls: possibilities of one-step synthesis of macrocycles

The Pd-catalyzed amination of isomeric dibromobiphenyls using linear oxadiamines, tri-, tetra- and pentaamines was carried out. 4,4’-Dibromobiphenyl provided a macrocycle comprising one biphenyl and one oxadiamine unit in tiny yield only with the longest diamine; on contrary, 3,3’-dibromobiphenyl gave target macrocycles in good yields, while 2,2’-dibromobiphenyl afforded only acyclic products.