Catalytic coupling of haloolefins with anilides.

A strategy in which C-H activation reactions promoted by Pd(II) have been combined with beta-heteroatom elimination to create a catalytic cycle achieving the arylation of haloacrylates is reported. The catalytic cycle can be subdivided into four parts: (1) C-H activation; (2) the functionalization step, migratory insertion of the olefin into a metal-carbon bond; (3) beta-heteroatom elimination; and (4) exchange of metal halide (if X = halogen) for a less coordinating anion. In this catalytic cycle, the oxidation state of the metal does not change, and an oxidant is not required. The method is more functional group tolerant compared with the existing alkene-arene coupling methods based on electrophilic C-H activation.