Stereocontrolled Synthesis of (E)-beta,gamma-Unsaturated Esters via Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of (E)-Alkenylboronic Acids with alpha-Bromoacetic Esters

The cross-coupling reaction of trans-alkenylboronic acids with alpha-bromoacetic esters was firstly studied. It was found that using Pd(OAc)(2) as catalyst, a bulky electron-rich phospine, (2-dicyclohexylphospino-biphenyl) as ligand, the reaction can be readily accomplished to give specific (E)-beta,gamma-unsaturated esters in high yields.