A very simple synthesis of chloroalkenes and chlorodienes by selective Suzuki couplings of 1,1-and 1,2-dichloroethylene

Chloroalkenes, important building blocks for cross-coupling reactions, are prepared in one step by the Suzuki reaction of 1,1-dichloroethylene and 1,2-dichloroethylene with alkenyl- and arylboronic acids. Under the proper reaction conditions, it is possible to obtain the monocoupling reaction to provide the corresponding chloroalkenes with good yields. This method represents an excellent route for the preparation of chloroalkenes and chlorodienes from commercially available starting materials.