Palladium-Catalyzed Regioselective Decarboxylative Alkylation of Arenes and Heteroarenes with Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids

An unprecedented Pd(OAc)(2)-catalyzed decarboxylative alkylation of unactivated arenes, with aliphatic carboxylic acids as inexpensive alkyl Sources, is reported. alkylation, controlled by the directing group, is regioselective, shows high functional group tolerance, and prorvides mild access to alkylated indolines, 2-phenylpyridines, and azobenzenes under solvent-free conditions in moderate to high yields.