Maleimide-assisted anti-Markovnikov Wacker-type oxidation of vinylarenes using molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidant†
Abstract
Arylacetaldehydes were successfully synthesized by the anti-Markovnikov Wacker-type oxidation of vinylarenes using 1 atm O2 as a terminal oxidant under mild conditions. Electron-deficient alkenes, such as maleic anhydride and maleimides, were effective additives and would operate as ligands to stabilize the Pd(0) species during the reaction.