Palladium/norbornene catalysis: a versatile aryl C–H hydroxyalkylation, alkyl cinnamate formation

Application of bromoalkylalcohol and acrylate partners in a palladium/norbornene catalyzed domino direct alkylation/alkenylation of iodoarenes provides a new strategy for construction of biologically interesting ortho-hydroxyalkyl cinnamic acid alkyl esters. This protocol is compatible with a vide variety of electron-donating and -withdrawing substituents and allows one-pot construction of highly functionalized primary alcohols in high yields.