Pd-Catalyzed β-C(sp3)-H Arylation of Propionic Acid and Related Aliphatic Acids

A generally applicable Pd-catalyzed protocol for the beta-C(sp(3))-H arylation of propionic acid and related alpha-branched aliphatic acids is reported. Enabled by the use of N-acetyl-beta-alanine as ligand our protocol delivers a broad range of arylation products. Notably, the highly challenging substrate, propionic acid, which lacks any acceleration through the Thorpe-Ingold effect, can be employed as substrate with synthetically useful yields. Furthermore, the scalability and synthetic applicability of the protocol are demonstrated.