A Catalyst‐Controlled Aerobic Coupling of ortho ‐Quinones and Phenols Applied to the Synthesis of Aryl Ethers

ortho ‐Quinones are underutilized six‐carbon‐atom building blocks. We herein describe an approach for controlling their reactivity with copper that gives rise to a catalytic aerobic cross‐coupling with phenols. The resulting aryl ethers are generated in high yield across a broad substrate scope under mild conditions. This method represents a unique example where the covalent modification of an ortho ‐quinone is catalyzed by a transition metal, creating new opportunities for their utilization in synthesis.