A simple catalyst system consisting of Pd(OAc)2 and 3‐nitropyridine for the aerobic oxidative Heck coupling of cyclic enones, in particular challenging unsubstituted cyclic enones, with simple arenes by CH activation was investigated. This novel method was applied to various functionalized arenes and cyclic enones and allowed the synthesis of β‐aryl cyclic enones in modest to high yields.

H Activation. -The simple catalyst system allows the coupling of cyclic enones with arenes using molecular oxygen as the oxidant. Only for fluoroarenes Ag 2CO3 is found to be more efficient than oxygen. -(CHUNG, L. G. Y.; JUWAINI, N. A. B.; SEAYAD*, J.; ChemCatChem 7 (2015) 8, 1270-1274, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201500079 ; Inst. Chem. Eng. Sci., Singapore 138665, Singapore; Eng.) -Mais 35-107