Facile synthesis of symmetrical 3,3-diarylacrylates by a Heck-Matsuda reaction: an expedient route to biologically active indanones

Abstract

A simple and straightforward synthesis of symmetrical 3,3-diarylacrylates based on a Heck-Matsuda reaction of arenediazonium salts bearing electron-donating groups with methylacrylates is described. The reaction employs Pd(OAc)2 as catalyst and goes to completion within 1h affording the corresponding unsaturated diaryl esters in good to high yields. This method permitted the expeditious and efficient synthesis of the anticancer 3-arylindanone 5 in two operative steps in 43% overall yield.