π-Allylpalladium intermediates are known to participate efficiently in transformations involving nucleophilic species. Exploring these processes, we have developed a method for the preparation of allyl acetates via palladium-catalysed functionalisation of allenes and 1,3-dienes. Reactions of aryl iodides with either of these two classes of compounds and excess sodium acetate in the presence of Pd(OAc)2
the mesopores, and serve as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of heterocycle-containing diarylmethanes via Friedel-Crafts-like alkylation of (hetero)arenes by heterobenzyl acetates under mild reaction conditions without requiring any additives or an inert atmosphere. Using this strategy, the gram-scale synthesis of indole-containing diarylmethane 13 has been accomplished in good yield