Regioselective aerobic oxidative Heck reactions with electronically unbiased alkenes: efficient access to α-alkyl vinylarenes

Branched-selective oxidative Heck coupling reactions have been developed between arylboronic acids and electronically unbiased terminal alkenes. The reactions exhibit high catalyst-controlled regioselectivity favoring the less common branched isomer. The reactions employ a catalyst composed of Pd(TFA)2/dmphen (TFA = trifluoroacetate, dmphen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) and proceed efficiently at 45-60 °C under 1 atm of O2 without requiring other additives. A broad array of functional groups, including aryl halide, allyl silane and carboxylic acids are tolerated.