Palladium-catalyzed insertion reactions of trimethylsilyldiazomethan

Palladium(II) salts catalyze the Kirmse reaction of allylsulfides with trimethylsilyldiazomethane (TMSD) to give homoallylsulfides. Similarly, TMSD can intercept ArPdX intermediates generated during Stille couplings to give benzhydryl derivatives. The yields of this process are limited by overinsertion and β-elimination. Insertion and elimination can be harnessed to generate styrenes from benzylic halides in the presence of palladium (0) catalysts.