Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Synthesis of Antiviral Tetrahydrocarbazole Derivatives by Photochemical and Acid-catalyzed C-H Functionalization via Intermediate Peroxides (CHIPS)
Published on: June 20, 2014
Catalytic coupling of haloolefins with anilides
Vladimir G Zaitsev1, Olafs Daugulis
1Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5003, USA.
Abstract:
A strategy in which C-H activation reactions promoted by Pd(II) have been combined with beta-heteroatom elimination to create a catalytic cycle achieving the arylation of haloacrylates is reported. The catalytic cycle can be subdivided into four parts: (1) C-H activation; (2) the functionalization step, migratory insertion of the olefin into a metal-carbon bond; (3) beta-heteroatom elimination; and (4) exchange of metal halide (if X = halogen) for a less coordinating anion. In this catalytic cycle, the oxidation state of the metal does not change, and an oxidant is not required. The method is more functional group tolerant compared with the existing alkene-arene coupling methods based on electrophilic C-H activation.
Related Concept Videos
Catalysis
Acid Halides to Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis
As shown below, the mechanism involves a nucleophilic attack by water at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate. This is followed by the reformation of the carbon–oxygen π bond along with the departure of a halide ion. A final proton transfer step yields carboxylic acid...
Acid Halides to Esters: Alcoholysis
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
Acid-Catalyzed Aldol Addition Reaction
Catalysis

