method devoted to the directconjugateaddition of functionalized aryl compounds onto Michael acceptors is described. The CoBr2(2,2‘-bipyridine) complex appears to be an extremely suitable catalyst for the activation of a variety of aromatic reagents ranging fromhalides to triflates functionalized by reactive groups. This procedure allows for the synthesis of compounds resulting from 1,4-addition in good
The reaction of aryl halides with acrolein diethyl acetal in the presence of Pd(OAC) 2 , n-Bu 3 N, and n-Bu 4 NCl in DMF at 90°C affords ethyl 3-arylpropanoates. A variety of functional groups are tolerated in the aryl halides, including ether, aldehyde, ketone, ester, nitrile, and nitro groups. ortho-Substituents do not hamper the reaction. 3-Arylpropanoate esters were isolated in good to excellent