Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of α-aryl acetophenones from styryl ethers and aryl diazonium salts via regioselective Heck arylation at room temperature.

Preparation of α-aryl acetophenones from styryl ethers and aryldiazonium salts is described. The reaction is catalyzed by palladium acetate at room temperature in the absence of ligand and base. The developed method is highly attractive in terms of reaction conditions, substrate scope, functional group tolerance and yields. Synthetic applications of the present method are demonstrated by preparing α-aryl indoles and 3-aryl isocoumarin from styryl ethers.