ChemInform Abstract: Maleimide-Assisted anti-Markovnikov Wacker-Type Oxidation of Vinylarenes Using Molecular Oxygen as a Terminal Oxidant

Arylacetaldehydes were successfully synthesized by the anti-Markovnikov Wacker-type oxidation of vinylarenes using 1 atm O2 as a terminal oxidant under mild conditions. Electron-deficient alkenes, such as maleic anhydride and maleimides, were effective additives and would operate as ligands to stabilize the Pd(0) species during the reaction.