We report a simple and mild dehydrogenative cross-coupling reaction of unprotected
arylethanols and acrylates. Unlike the case of previous reactions, in which prior
functionalization of the substrate with a metal-coordinating site was required, free
primary, secondary, or tertiary hydroxy groups were found to be effective directing
groups for the ortho-C–H palladation and subsequent olefination.
Key words
directing group - palladium catalysis - cross-coupling - C–H activation - arylethanols
- acrylates