Rhodium-Catalyzed Aryl Transfer from Trisubstituted Aryl Methanols to α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

A process of elimination: The rhodium‐catalyzed arylation of α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds with 9‐aryl‐10‐benzyl‐9,10‐dihydroacridin‐9‐ols 1 as arylating reagents proceeds efficiently via β‐aryl elimination of the rhodium alkoxide intermediates, to give the 1,4‐addition products in high yields (see scheme; Bn=benzyl, cod=cycloocta‐1,5‐diene).