arylated

Arylated describes a molecule that has been functionalized by the introduction of an aryl group, an aryl substituent derived from an arene such as phenyl or naphthyl. The arylation process transfers an aryl unit onto a substrate, forming a new bond, typically C–C or C–heteroatom. The resulting compound is described as arylated at the site where the aryl moiety attaches.

Arylation is a broad class of reactions in organic synthesis. Common aryl sources include aryl halides (Ar–X), diazonium salts, aryl boron reagents (e.g., arylboronic esters), and, in some cases, arenes via C–H activation. Reactions can construct carbon–carbon bonds (C–C arylation) or carbon–heteroatom bonds (e.g., O–aryl, N–aryl, S–aryl). Many practical methods employ transition metals such as palladium or nickel. Notable families include palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings (for example, Suzuki–Miyaura, Negishi, Kumada) and direct C–H arylation, often enabled by directing groups or photoredox catalysis. Copper- and iron-catalyzed arylations also exist, as do hypervalent iodine–mediated and radical arylations.

Arylated compounds are common in pharmaceuticals, natural products, and materials science. N-aryl, O-aryl, and C-aryl motifs appear in drugs and agrochemicals, while arylated heterocycles contribute to the properties of organic semiconductors and dyes. Regio- and chemoselectivity, functional group tolerance, and reaction conditions determine the choice of aryl source and catalytic system.