Palladium-catalyzed Mizoroki-Heck reactions were carried out in the presence of calcium carbonate in alcoholic solvents. Under these conditions an efficient preparation of functionalized benzalacetones was developed. The reactions were carried out at room temperature and aerobic conditions, giving the products within several minutes in up to 95% isolated yields. Furthermore, some kinetic investigations, mechanistic insights and considerations are presented.

ABSTRACT. Pd on AlPO4-catalyst was prepared by a one-pot process using Pd(OAc)2 and AlPO4 in methanol as solvent. The synthesized catalyst was used in the monoarylation of olefins via the Heck-Matsuda reaction. Several functionalized arylvinylphosphonates, cinnamic derivatives and benzalacetones could be obtained in good to excellent yields.   KEY WORDS: Arylvinylphosphonates, Benzalacetones, Cinnamic derivatives, Palladium on Aluminum phosphate, Kinetic studies   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(2), 423-432.                                                                DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i2.15

Either Pd(OAc)2 or Pd‐C clusters generated by pre‐reduction of Pd(OAc)2 with MeOH in the presence of charcoal before starting the reaction are used as catalysts in the presence of CaCO3 as base.