Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Rearrangement of Diaryl Alkenyl Carbinols to β,β-Diaryl α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

Abstract

An unusual oxidative palladium-catalyzed rearrangement of diaryl alkenyl carbinols to β,β-diaryl α,β-unsaturated ketones is described. The geometry of the alkene product is not determined by the electronic nature of the aryl substitutents but rather is determined by substitution pattern on the aryl rings. The reaction proceeds in good yields, utilizes oxygen at atmospheric pressure as the terminal oxidant, and tolerates a variety of functional groups on the aryl rings.