Allyl‐Palladium‐Catalyzed α,β‐Dehydrogenation of Carboxylic Acids via Enediolates

Abstract A highly practical and step‐economic α,β‐dehydrogenation of carboxylic acids via enediolates is reported through the use of allyl‐palladium catalysis. Dianions underwent smooth dehydrogenation when generated using Zn(TMP) 2 ⋅2 LiCl as a base in the presence of excess ZnCl 2 , thus avoiding the typical decarboxylation pathway of these substrates. Direct access to 2‐enoic acids allows derivatization by numerous approaches.