heckreaktion

Heck reaction is a palladium-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond forming reaction. It couples an aryl or vinyl halide with an alkene. The reaction is named after its discoverer, Richard F. Heck. The general mechanism involves oxidative addition of the aryl or vinyl halide to a palladium(0) catalyst, followed by insertion of the alkene into the palladium-carbon bond. A beta-hydride elimination then occurs, regenerating the palladium catalyst and forming a new substituted alkene.

This reaction is highly versatile and has found widespread application in organic synthesis, particularly in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. Key advantages of the Heck reaction include its functional group tolerance, mild reaction conditions, and the ability to form substituted alkenes with control over regiochemistry and stereochemistry. Various modifications and improvements to the original Heck reaction have been developed over the years, including the use of different palladium sources, ligands, bases, and solvents, which have expanded its scope and efficiency.

The Heck reaction is a powerful tool for constructing complex organic molecules and remains an important reaction in the chemist's toolkit. Its significance is recognized by its inclusion in undergraduate and graduate organic chemistry curricula.