Synthesis of Polyaryl-Substituted Olefins via a Rh(III)-Catalyzed One-Pot Reaction Using N-Phenoxyacetamides, Ketones, and Hydrazines.

A Rh(III)-catalyzed one-pot reaction of N-phenoxyacetamides, ketones, and hydrazines for a facile access to disubstituted and trisubstituted ethylenes is reported. In this method, various ketones are transformed into donor-donor diazo compounds, which engage in insertion with N-phenoxyacetamides, following β-H elimination under Rh(III) catalysis to generate (E)-polyaryl-substituted olefins. This chemistry features simple starting materials, mild reaction conditions, and good functional group tolerance.