Gold(I)-Catalyzed Regioselective Hydroarylation of Propiolic Acid with Arylboronic Acids.

A gold-catalyzed intermolecular hydroarylation involving arylboronic acid has been disclosed. This carboxylic acid-directed arylation is highly regioselective and occurs at the less electrophilic carbon to afford α-aryl acrylic acids in attractive yields. This protocol offers easy access to NSAID precursors.