Abstract

A mild, general, catalytic system for the alpha-vinylation of carbonyl compounds has been developed. By employing [Pd((PBu3)-Bu-t)Br](2) as Catalyst and LHMDS as base, vinyl bromides, vinyl triflates, and vinyl tosylates couple with 3-methyloxindole in satisfactory yields. The same catalytic system is extended to the alpha-vinylation of ketones and esters.