Palladium catalyzed Heck reaction of arenediazonium tetrafluoroborate salts with Baylis-Hillman adducts: production of α-benzyl-β-keto esters

A simple and expeditious synthesis of α-(substituted-aryl)-β-keto esters based on the utilization of arenediazonium salts and Baylis-Hillman adducts in a Heck reaction, is disclosed.