Pd(II)-catalyzed decarboxylative acylation of phenylacetamides with α-oxocarboxylic acids via C–H bond activation

A palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative acylation of phenylacetamides with α-oxocarboxylic acids via C–H bond activation is described. This protocol provides efficient access to a range of ortho-acyl phenylacetamides, which can be easily converted to 3-isochromanone derivatives.