Ligand-free conditions, Heck addition

The intramolecular version of the Heck reaction has been extremely fruitful, enabling elegant synthesis of many complex molecules [68, 69]. The Mori-Ban indole synthesis (Section 1.10, vide infra) is a good example of such method. In addition, Rawal et al. carried out an intramolecular Heck cyclization of pentacyclic lactam 55 with a pendant vinyl iodide moiety [70]. Employing Jeffery s ligand-free conditions, 55 was converted to a hexacyclic strychnan alkaloid precursor 56 with complete stereochemical control... 

Palladium-catalysed Heck addition of Ar-I to terminal olefins RCH=CH2 has been reported to proceed under ligand-free conditions, with just (AcO)2Pd and AcOAg in AcOH at 110°C, and shown to afford double arylation products RCH=CAr2. Both electron-poor and electron-rich aryl iodides react efficiently. ... 

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