Palladium-catalyzed four-component difluoroalkylative carbonylation of aryl olefins and ethylene

Abstract

Compared with unactivated alkyl olefins, the corresponding fluorinative carbonylation of styrenes has remained a challenge due to its strong tendency for oligomerization and polymerization. In this communication, we developed a palladium-catalyzed four-component difluoroalkylative carbonylation of aryl olefins for the first time. A wide range of β-difluoromethylene substituted amide derivatives were prepared in moderate to high yields with excellent regioselectivity. Notably, ethylene gas, as an original C2 synthon, can also be transformed to the corresponding products with moderate yields. Furthermore, some natural product or bio-active molecule related compounds, such as estrogen, benzocaine, and menthol derivatives can be reacted as well. This reaction can be scaled up smoothly and the obtained product can be further transformed into amidic acid and aminol efficiently.