Palladium-Catalyzed Decarbonylative Heck Coupling of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids with Terminal Alkenes

A palladium-catalyzed decarbonylative alkenylation of aromatic carboxylic acids was developed. Under the reaction conditions, various benzoic acids including those bearing functional groups coupled to terminal alkenes, producing the corresponding internal alkenes in good to high yields. Cinnamic acids and bioactive benzoic acids such as 3-methylflavone-8-carboxylic acid, probenecid, adapalin, and febuxostat were also applicable to this reaction, demonstrating the potential synthetic value of this new reaction in organic synthesis.