Copper(I) iodide-catalysed arylation of acetoacetate to yield 2-arylacetic acid esters

The C–C coupling reaction between ethyl acetoacetate and aryl halides in the presence of CuI is described. The effects of solvent, ligands such as vicinal diamines and amino acids, base and temperature are reported. The arylated acetoacetate ester is deacylated under the reaction conditions resulting in the generation of 2-arylacetic acid esters, constituting a mild alternative to direct arylation of carboxylate esters.