A solid-phase iridium-based ortho-exchange catalyst for the one-step labelling of aromatic substrates with deuterium

A wide range of aromatic compounds containing suitable directing groups can be labelled efficiently with deuterium using isotopic exchange catalysed by an easily prepared polystyrene based ortho-exchange catalyst. The labelling reactions can be carried out efficiently at ambient temperature by simple stirring of the substrate and catalyst under a deuterium atmosphere for a few hours. Isolation consists of a simple filtration and evaporation of the solvent. Deuterium is incorporated with ortho-regiospecificity.