To a solution of 2-(4-bromophenylamino)isoindoline-1,3-dione (2 g, 6 mmol) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (20 mL) and water (4 mL) were added vinyl boronic anhydride pyridine complex (4.57 g, 18.98 mmol) and K2CO3 (1.3 g, 9.5 mmol) followed by Pd(PPh3)4 (0.219 g, 0.189 mmol). The resultant reaction mixture was heated at 150° C. in a microwave for 30 min and then was concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by column chromatography (SiO2, 15% EtOAc in petroleum ether) afforded the title compound as a solid (200 mg, 13%): mp 174-176° C.; 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.65 (s, 1H), 7.94 (m, 4H), 7.29 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.72 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.61 (m, 1H), 5.61 (d, J=17.6 Hz, 1H), 5.05 (d, J=11.2 Hz, 1H); ESIMS m/z 263.18 ([M−H]−).
