Meta‐Selective C−H Arylation of Aromatic Alcohols with a Readily Attachable and Cleavable Molecular Scaffold

The first example of meta ‐selective C−H arylations of arene alcohol‐based substrates is described. The strategy involves the combination of the transient norbornene strategy with the quinoline‐based acetal scaffold to achieve the formation of biaryl compounds. Both a two‐step meta ‐arylation/scaffold cleavage process and a total telescoping procedure are described, highlighting the convenient attributes of attachment, removal, and recovery of the acetal scaffold. Moreover, the meta ‐arylated compounds can be further derivatized via ortho ‐selective functionalizations. These processes establish a foundation for catalytic polyfunctionalization of alcohol‐based compounds.