Diastereoselective room-temperature Pd-catalyzed alpha-arylation and vinylation of arylmandelic acid derivatives

Palladium-catalyzed α-arylation and vinylation of dioxolane (S,S)-I, easily obtained from (S)-mandelic acid, proceeds with high yields and excellent diastereoselectivity at room temperature employing commercially available P(t-Bu)3•HBF₄ and Pd(OAc)₂ as a catalytic precursor system. This method displays general utility for a large variety of aryl, heteroaryl, and vinyl bromides.