A novel approach to functionalized (E)-1,4-diaryl-1-butenes by Heck reaction and their applications for the construction of dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan skeletons by radical cyclization

A highly regio- and stereoselective [Pd(allyl)Cl]₂ catalyzed Heck reaction of aryl iodides and electronically neutral terminal olefins generated in situ by fluoride induced protiodesilylation of alkenylsilanol derivatives under mild conditions has been developed. The products, viz. terminally substituted styrenes and (E)-1,4-diaryl-1-butenes were obtained in very good yields. The dibenzylbutyrolactone lignan skeletons have been prepared employing two regio- and stereoselective Bu₃SnH-mediated radical cyclization routes.