Palladium-Catalyzed ortho-C–H Methylation of Benzoic Acids

A palladium-catalyzed methylation of C-H bonds of benzoic acids with di-tert-butyl peroxide as the methylating reagent under an external oxidant and ligand-free conditions has been achieved. The reaction is found to be directed by a weakly coordinating carboxyl group, offering a facile route for the synthesis of highly functionalized ortho-methyl benzoic acids.