Figure 1. Design of a new approach for meta-C–H activation.
a, Previously reported remote meta-C–H activation directed by a U-shaped template. b, The norbornene-mediated Catellani reaction functionalizes ortho-positions of aryl iodides. c, The development of a tailor-made ligand that switches the ortho-selectivity to meta-selectivity using norbornene as a transient mediator (this work). ArF, 4-(CF3)C6F4. The activated C–H bonds (blue) and the newly formed bonds (red) are highlighted.
