Palladium-catalyzed alkylation-hydride reduction sequence: synthesis of meta-substituted arenes.

A new three-component, palladium-catalyzed domino reaction which gives access to meta-substituted arenes using aryl iodides and primary alkyl halides is reported. Various functional groups are tolerated on both the aryl iodide and alkyl halide. In addition, isotopic labeling studies provide insight into the mechanism of this Catellani-type reaction. [reaction: see text]