Simple and efficient protocol for the synthesis of functionalized styrenes from 1,2-dibromoethane and arylboronic...

[reaction: see text] A simple and efficient protocol for the preparation of functionalized styrenes is disclosed that employs the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of arylboronic acids with vinyl bromide, generated in situ from 1,2-dibromoethane. The reaction is carried out under mild reaction conditions. Compared with the cross-coupling reactions usually employed to obtain vinylarenes, this protocol is very simple, overcomes the inconvenience of using of ethylene under pressure, and uses air-stable and widely available arylboronic acids instead of vinyl organometallic reagents.