A three-step, one-pot strategy to unsymmetrical 1,1-diarylalkenes

Develop a one-pot, three-step procedure for effective access to diverse unsymmetrical 1,1-diarylalkenes from readily accessible reagents, catalysts and substrates. A three-step, one-pot procedure for the synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,1-diarylalkenes via a dibromination-elimination-Suzuki Miyaura coupling sequence has been designed and a range of reaction conditions have been screened. Although high selectivities can be achieved in some cases, the overall reaction typically proceeds in low to moderate isolated yields albeit up to 70% was observed. The reaction is compatible with a range of substituent patterns on the arylboronic acid and different styrenes.