Efficient assembly of 1-methylene-1H-indenes via palladium-catalyzed tandem reaction of 1-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2-alkenylbenzene with arylboronic acid.

Highly efficient palladium-catalyzed reaction of 1-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2-alkenylbenzene with arylboronic acid is disclosed, which generates the functionalized 1-methylene-1H-indenes in good yields. Tandem Suzuki-Miyaura coupling and Heck reactions are involved in this process.