Bimolecular vinylation of arenes by vinyl cations

Abstract

Styrene derivatives can be easily synthesized from vinyl triflates and arenes under mild reaction conditions, using [Li][Al(OC(CF₃)₃)₄] as a catalyst and LiHMDS as a base. This transformation is likely to involve a vinyl cation intermediate as an electrophile, which is corroborated by DFT calculations, deuterium-labeling and other control experiments. The use of an inert weakly coordinating anion is a decisive factor in this bimolecular vinylation process.