Selective preparation of terminal alkenes from aliphatic carboxylic acids by a palladium-catalysed decarbonylation-elimination reaction

Trialkylamines were used as additives in the decarbonylation-elimination reaction catalysed by the combination of palladium(II) chloride and DPE-Phos. Aliphatic carboxylic acids were transformed at relatively low temperature into terminal alkenes in high yield and high selectivity, without the need for distillation, thereby avoiding isomerisation.