Electrochemical Recycling of Benzoquinone in the Pd/Benzoquinone-Catalyzed Heck-Type Reactions from Arenes

Palladium(II) acetate‐catalyzed Heck‐type reactions have been performed from the arene 1 and alkenes (n‐butyl acrylate, styrene) in acetic acid at room temperature, in the presence of a catalytic amount of benzoquinone or hydroquinone. The reactions have been made catalytic in benzoquinone [which is used to continuously oxidize the Pd(0) into to the active Pd(II) species able to activate the ArH bond] by the electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone, formed in the reaction, back to benzoquinone.