Electrochemical Recycling of Benzoquinone in the Pd/Benzoquinone‐Catalyzed Heck‐Type Reactions from Arenes

Abstract

Abstract Palladium( II ) acetate‐catalyzed Heck‐type reactions have been performed from the arene 1 and alkenes ( n ‐butyl acrylate, styrene) in acetic acid at room temperature, in the presence of a catalytic amount of benzoquinone or hydroquinone. The reactions have been made catalytic in benzoquinone [which is used to continuously oxidize the Pd(0) into to the active Pd(II) species able to activate the ArH bond] by the electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone, formed in the reaction, back to benzoquinone.