Arylation of Olefin with Iodobenzene Catalyzed by Palladium

Abstract

Arylation of propylene, ethylene, styrene, and methyl acrylate with iodobenzene was found to be catalyzed by metallic palladium in methanol to give methylstyrene, styrene, t-stilbene, and methyl cinnamate, respectively. Their yields and selectivities increased significantly by the addition of excess potassium acetate as an acceptor of hydriodic acid formed. The course of catalytic reaction is discussed in terms of the oxidative addition of iodobenzene to a palladium complex of low oxidation state.