Aerobic oxidative coupling between carbon nucleophiles and allylic alcohols: a strategy to construct β-(hetero)aryl ketones and aldehydes through hydrogen migration.

Wacker heck of a reaction: A highly efficient Pd(II) -catalyzed intermolecular oxidative-coupling reaction is reported, inspired by the fundamental Heck and Wacker processes. The (hetero)aryl-PdX species, originating from CH activation step or desulfonyl hydrazides, coupled with allylic alcohols by using oxygen as the sole oxidant.