Stereoselective Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative γ‑Arylation of Acyclic β,γ-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids

Palladium-catalyzed γ-arylation of acyclic β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids with various aryl iodides is reported. The cascade comprises a decarboxylative γ-palladation of β,γ-unsaturated α,α′-disubstituted carboxylic acids and subsequent C­(sp²)–C­(sp³) bond formation to provide diaryl vinyl methanes in moderate to good yields and high E/Z-selectivities. Reaction with an enantiomerically pure acid revealed that the process occurs with high stereospecificity.