Palladium-Catalyzed β-C(sp3)–H Arylation of Silyl Prop-1-en-1-ol Ethers with Aryl Halides: Entry to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

A palladium(0)-catalyzed β-C(sp³)-H arylation of silyl prop-1-en-1-ol ethers with aryl halides for the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketones is presented. In contrast to the reported β-C(sp³)-H arylation of ketones, the chemoselectivity of this current method relies on the Pd(0) catalytic systems and reaction temperatures: While using the Pd(dba)₂/DavePhos/KF system at 80 °C resulted in β-C(sp³)-H monoarylation to produce β-monoarylated α,β-unsaturated ketones, harnessing the Pd(OAc)₂/t-Bu XPhos/K₂HPO₄ system at 110 °C induced β-C(sp³)-H diarylation to afford β,β-diarylated α,β-unsaturated ketones. The method provides a versatile route that uses readily available ketone-derivatized α-nonsubstituted silyl prop-1-en-1-ol ethers as the alkene sources and is characterized by a good functional group compatibility, a broad substrate scope, and an excellent selectivity.