Herein, we report a versatile approach for the
endocyclic ring-opening of bicyclic vinylcyclopropanes triggered by Heck
arylations. Key step for this transformation is a [1,3]-migratory shift of Pd
allowing the ring expansion of cyclopropanated pyrroles, piperidines, furans as
well as cyclopentadienes to grant access to the corresponding
1,2-dihydropyridines, 2<i>H</i>-pyrans,
2,3-dihydro-1<i>H</i>-azepines and
1,4-cyclohexadienes, respectively. Additionally, <i>gem</i>-disubstituted
cyclopropanated furans showed unexpected behavior by giving
diastereoselectively asymmetrically substituted dienes. Mechanistic studies and
theoretical calculations point towards a facile [1,3]-migratory shift
of Pd along the cyclopropane moiety, which can successfully compete with the usual
termination step of a Heck reaction via a <i>syn</i>-b-hydride elimination.<br>