Efficient ligand-free palladium catalyzed Mizoroki–Heck reaction allowed the formation of trisubstituted α-trifluoromethylacrylates. The reaction showed good chemical tolerance and furnished moderate to excellent yields of reaction. Silver salt additive proved to be essential for the reaction. The reaction has been then applied to the formation of 3-trifluoromethyl coumarins and analogues of therapeutic
α-Trifluoromethylacrylates were synthesized using efficient ligand-free palladium catalyzed Mizoroki-Heckreaction. With the alkyl trifluoromethylacrylates used as substrates, different catalytic systems were explored including Pd/C as a catalyst. Good to excellent yields were obtained with good chemical tolerance