Heck reaction of aryl halides with linear or cyclic alkenes catalysed by a tetraphosphine/palladium catalyst

cis,cis,cis-1,2,3,4-Tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopentane/[PdCl(C3H5)]2 system catalyses efficiently the Heck reaction of aryl halides with linear alkenes such as pent-1-ene, oct-1-ene or dec-1-ene. Selectivities up to 70% in favour of E-1-arylalk-1-ene isomers can be obtained. In the presence of cyclic alkenes the selectivities of the reactions strongly depends on the ring size. Addition to cyclohexene or cycloheptene led mainly to 1-arylcycloalk-3-ene derivatives. On the other hand, addition to cyclooctene led to 1-arylcycloalk-1-ene adducts.