Pd–arylurea complexes for the Heck arylation of crotonic and cinnamic substrates

A catalyst consisting of the 1:2 complex of Pd(OAc)2 (1 mol %) with N-(4-carbethoxy)-phenylurea promotes the Heck arylation of a range of crotonic and cinnamic substrates, including aldehydes, ketones, esters, and nitriles, with electron-rich—but not electron-deficient—aryl iodides.