ABSTRACT
The synthesis of a variety of 2-(E)-benzylidenesuccinic acid diesters has been accomplished. The critical step in this process is the palladium catalyzed arylation of itaconic acid diesters. Both aryl halides and triflates participate in this arylation reaction. Addition of chloride ion was found to be important for the arylation of itaconic esters with aromatic triflates.
