Reactions of vinyltributylgermanes and aryl halides under Heck conditions

We describe the palladium-mediated reaction of vinyltributylgermanes with aryl halides under Heck conditions. Depending on their degree of substitution, (E)-vinyltributylgermanes preferentially afford either the cine or Z-alkenyl coupled products in moderate yields. Substituents at the allylic position, especially oxygen, impact regio- and stereoselectivity.