Rhodium-catalyzed regioselective cross-coupling of styrene oxides with arylboronic acids in aqueous γ-valerolactone

A simple and regioselective cross-coupling of styrene oxides with arylboronic acids in the presence of Rh(PPh₃)₃Cl in biomass-derived γ-valerolactone has been developed. The reactions proceeded smoothly to give 1,2-diaryl ethanols as the predominant products in moderate to good yields.