Abstract The reaction of aryl halides with acrolein diethyl acetal in the presence of Pd (OAc) 2, n-Bu 3 N, and n-Bu 4 NCl in DMF at 90 C affords ethyl 3-arylpropanoates. A variety of functional groups are tolerated in the aryl halides, including ether, aldehyde, ketone, ester, nitrile, and nitro groups. ortho-Substituents do not hamper the reaction. 3-Arylpropanoate esters were isolated in good to excellent yields with many neutral, electron-rich and ...