Synthesis of polysubstituted olefins by Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of tosylhydrazones and aryl nonaflates

Aryl nonaflates are employed as electrophiles in the Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling with tosylhydrazones affording di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted olefins. Fine tunning of the reaction conditions are required to accomplish the coupling successfully, including the addition of LiCl and the presence of small amounts of water. Under the optimized conditions, the reactions proceed with high yield and also high stereoselectivity depending on the nature of the coupling partners.