Rhodium-catalyzed ortho -olefination of aromatic acids with acrylates via cross-dehydrogenative coupling

Vinylarenes as key synthetic intermediates have been widely applied in the field of biology, pharmaceutical and organic synthesis. Herein, a rhodium-catalyzed ortho -olefination of aromatic acids with acrylates has been developed for the synthesis of a wide range of ortho -olefinated free aromatic acids in good to excellent yields. The reaction undergoes a removable carboxyl-directed cross-dehydrogenative coupling. Employing simple and readily available starting materials, this process is successfully realized under mild reaction conditions without any additives. Additional features of the method are broad substrate scope and shorter reaction time.