Assisted by a partially aqueous media, a catalyst system of [Rh (cod)(OH)] 2 and DPPBenzene ligand effectively promotes direct conjugate additions by perfluoroarenes. This formal C− H alkylation process represents a rare example of olefin hydroarylation with electron-deficient arenes. The catalyst system can be modified to selectively form the corresponding olefination products under anhydrous conditions.
