Palladium-catalyzed intermolecular Heck reaction of alkyl halides

Abstract

Intermolecular Heck reaction of common alkyl halides, a longstanding problem in palladium catalysis, is realized with a simple Pd/dppf catalyst. Both primary and secondary alkyl halides are suitable for coupling with aromatic olefins. Single electron transfer from (dppf)Pd⁰ to alkyl halide initiated the catalytic cycle and gave alkyl radicals.