Palladium‐Catalyzed Cascade CH Trifluoroethylation of Aryl Iodides and Heck Reaction: Efficient Synthesis of ortho‐Trifluoroethylstyrenes

A palladium‐catalyzed selective CH bond trifluoroethylation of aryl iodides has been explored. The reaction allows for the efficient synthesis of a variety of ortho‐trifluoroethyl‐substituted styrenes. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction might involve a key PdIV intermediate, which is generated through the rate‐determining oxidative addition of CF3CH2I to a palladacycle; the bulky nature of CF3CH2I influences the reactivity. Reductive elimination from the PdIV complex then leads to the formation of the aryl–CH2CF3 bond.