Efficient and selective hydroarylation of propiolic acids and their esters with arenes catalyzed by a PtCl2/AgOTf system

PtCl2/AgOTf-catalyzed hydroarylation of ethyl propiolate proceeded effectively to give ethyl (2Z)-cinnamate derivatives in good to high yields, without the formation of diethyl (1E,3Z)-4-arylbuta-1,3-diene-1,3-dicarboxylates that was observed in Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed reaction. Especially, PtCl2/AgOTf-catalyzed hydroarylation of propiolic acids proceeded effectively to give (2Z)-cinnamic acids exclusively.