text: The White catalyst has been found to be an effective catalyst for an oxidative version of the classic Heck reaction. Rather than performing allylic C-H cleavage—a relatively slow process—the catalyst quickly transmetallates with a boronic acid. This aryl palladium intermediate undergoes a 1,2-addition across the alkene double bond. β-Hydride elimination releases the product. The oxidative Heck was originally reported as a sequential process following allylic C-H esterification. It was subsequently demonstrated as a stand-alone method for a broad range of α-olefin substrates. The regioselectivity of the reaction is controlled by directing groups such as carbonyls, alcohols and amines.