Highly efficient Pd(acac)2/TFA catalyzed head-to-tail dimerization of vinylarenes at room temperature

Pd(acac)2 catalyzed dimerization of vinylarenes to form dimers under mild condition with excellent yields and stereoselectivities. In particular, the use of TFA highly promoted the activity and selectivity of the dimerization. The studies on mechanism for the reaction displayed clearly that the dimerization of styrenes is 100% atom economic reaction.