Pd(0)-Catalyzed 1,1-Diarylation of Ethylene and Allylic Carbonates

An efficient protocol for the one-step synthesis of biologically relevant 1,1-diarylalkanes has been described. This reaction introduces two different aryl groups across the terminal end of simple feedstock alkenes such as ethylene and allylic carbonates. The propensity to generate pi-benzylpalladium intermediates dictates the exclusive 1,1-regioselectivity observed in the product.