Highly regioselective intermolecular arylation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines

Using a catalytic amount of PdCl2(dppf) x CH2Cl2 in combination with Ag3PO4 and NaOAc, a range of arylated 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines are synthesized in good yields and with complete selectivity at the beta-position. The reaction is compatible with a variety of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing aryl iodides as well as with heteroaryl iodides. The application of these tetrahydropyridines toward the synthesis of polysubstituted piperidines is also demonstrated.