Aryliodine(III) diacetates as substrates for Pd–Ag catalyzed arylation of alkenes

An unprecedented application of aryliodine(III) diacetates as substrates in Pd–Ag catalyzed arylation of alkenes is described. The mechanistic studies revealed that the binary Pd–Ag catalysis leads to the decomposition of aryliodine(III) diacetates to oxygen and aryl iodides followed by arylation of alkenes forming Heck-type products. Under optimized conditions both electron-rich and electron-deficient alkenes undergo arylation in high yields. Advantageously, the reaction proceeds smoothly in water as a solvent and neither organic ligands nor inert atmosphere are required.