Electron Transfer-Induced Coupling of Haloarenes to Styrenes and 1,1-Diphenylethenes Triggered by Diketopiperazines and Potassium tert-Butoxide

The coupling of haloarenes to styrenes and 1,1-diarylethenes has been achieved with potassium tert-butoxide in the presence of N,N'-dialkyldiketopiperazines. In contrast to previously reported reactions where phenanthroline has been used to mediate the reactions, the use of diketopiperazines can lead to either 1,1,2-triarylethenes or 1,1,2-triarylethanes, depending on the conditions used.