Aerobic Dehydrogenative Heck Reactions of Heterocycles with Styrenes: A Negative Effect of Metallic Co‐Oxidants

Abstract

Abstract The aerobic dehydrogenative Heck reaction (DHR) of heterocycles with styrenes was found to be more efficient in the absence of metallic co‐oxidants. According to a study of the isotope effect, the CH cleavage was the rate‐determining step of the catalytic cycle. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, subsequent MS/MS, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry were used to detect and characterize catalytic intermediates and species formed in the presence of metallic co‐oxidants.