The Heck reaction of aryl bromides: a green protocol for synthesis of 2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxy cinnamate

Abstract

Deactivated aryl halide 4-bromoanisole and electron poor olefin 2-ethylhexyl acrylate were shown to undergo palladium catalyzed Heck reaction with the utilization of a cost-effective, thermally robust and unexplored morpholine-based ionic liquid. The developed protocol gives an environmentally friendly process for the synthesis of 2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxy cinnamate, an important UV-B sunscreen agent.