Efficient Heck cross-coupling of 3-iodo-benzopyrones with olefins under microwave irradiation without phosphine

An efficient and effective microwave-assisted Heck cross-coupling of different terminal olefins with various 3-iodo-benzopyrones including sterically hindered, electron-rich, electron-neutral, and electron-deficient is developed. It proceeded faster and generally gave good to excellent yields under microwave irradiation, phosphine-free, and air condition. The reaction could render this method particularly attractive for the efficient preparation of biologically and medicinally interesting molecules.