Pd-catalyzed orthogonal Knoevenagel/Perkin condensation-decarboxylation- heck/Suzuki sequences: Tandem transformations of benzaldehydes into hydroxy-functionalized antidiabetic stilbene-cinnamoyl hybrids and asymmetric distyrylbenzenes

Tandem reactions that involve chemoselective Knoevenagel/Perkin condensation-decarboxylation-Heck/Suzuki coupling or Heck-aldol sequences have been achieved. This enabled the first concise and efficient synthesis of several important hydroxy-functionalized compound classes, such as stilbene-cinnamoyl hybrids (potent protein tyrosine phosphatase1B inhibitors), cinnamoyl-cinnamic acid hybrids, asymmetric distyrylbenzenes, and biarylstyrenes. Previously reported synthesis require multiple steps and protection/deprotection manipulations.