Palladium-catalyzed stereoselective ring-opening reaction of aryl cyclopropyl ketones

The first palladium-catalyzed direct ring-opening of mono-substituted phenyl and heteroaryl cyclopropyl ketones to obtain α,β-unsaturated ketones is described. The reaction features high stereoselectivity to obtain ( E )-1-phenylbut-2-en-1-one derivatives.