Heck Reactions

Abstract

In 1972, Heck and Nolley reported the palladium-catalysed vinylic hydrogen substitution reaction with aryl, benzyl and styryl halides, in the presence of a hindered amine, to yield substituted alkenes, i.e. the Heck reaction. This chapter begins with a discussion of the Heck reaction in the synthesis of various industrially useful molecules. It then considers issues of catalyst separation, discusses direct C–H coupling, catalyst development, photo-induced reactions, use of alternative solvents or solvent-free reactions, microwaves and flow chemistry.