Chemo-, regio- and stereoselective addition of triorganoindium reagents to acetates of Baylis-Hillman adducts: a new strategy for the synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-trisubstituted alkenes

The addition of several trialkyl or triarylindium reagents to the acetates of Baylis-Hillman adducts proceeds readily under the catalysis of copper and palladium derivatives. The reactions of trialkylindiums are catalyzed efficiently by CuI whereas additions of triarylindiums produce better results with Pd(PPh3)4. The reactions with 3-acetoxy-2-methylenealkanoates provide (E)-alkenes, whereas similar reactions with 3-acetoxy-2-methylenealkanenitriles lead to (Z)-alkenes. All the reactions are highly regio- and stereoselective and high yielding.