The in situ prepared three component system Pd(OAc)(2)/1,3-bis(alkyl) imidazolinium halide LHX (1-5)/Cs2CO3 catalyses the arylation of diethyl malonate efficiently with accompanying dealkoxycarbonylation. Imidazolinium salts with bulky benzyl and alkoxyethyl groups were found to be the most efficient and afforded alpha-arylacetates in high yields when employing a wide variety of substrates. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
C1 Ege Univ, Dept Chem, TR-35100 Izmir, Turkey.
Inonu Univ, Dept Chem, TR-44069 Malatya, Turkey.