Synthesis of arylacetic acid derivatives from diethyl malonate using in situ formed palladium(1,3-dialkylimidazolidin-2-ylidene) catalysts

The in situ prepared three component system Pd(OAc)2/1,3-bis(alkyl) imidazolinium halide LHX (1–5)/Cs2CO3 catalyses the arylation of diethyl malonate efficiently with accompanying dealkoxycarbonylation. Imidazolinium salts with bulky benzyl and alkoxyethyl groups were found to be the most efficient and afforded α-arylacetates in high yields when employing a wide variety of substrates.