Rhodium(i)-catalysed decarbonylative direct C–H vinylation and dienylation of arenes

Abstract

Rh(I)-Catalyzed decarbonylative direct C–H bond vinylation and dienylation of arenes with readily available acrylic acid and (E)-penta-2,4-dienoic acid under chelation assistance have been developed for the first time. A significant effect of the ligand on the reactivity was observed with the bidentate phosphine ligand being optimal. This protocol was efficient under oxidant-free conditions to access synthetically valuable styrenes and 1-aryl-1,3-butadienes in high yields with a broad substrate scope and good functionality tolerance.