Palladium-catalyzed α-arylation of 2-chloroacetates and 2-chloroacetamides.

A method has been developed for the Pd-catalyzed synthesis of α-(hetero)aryl esters and amides through a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. This method avoids the use of strong base, does not necessitate inert or low temperature formation of reagents, and does not require the use of a large excess of organometallic reagent. Utilization of organotrifluoroborate salts as nucleophilic partners allows a variety of functional groups and heterocyclic compounds to be tolerated.