Stereo-and Regioselective Palladium-Catalyzed 1,4-Diacetoxylation of 1,3-Dienes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00198a010

Palladium-catalyzed oxidation of 1,3-dienes in acetic acid using an oxidation system of MnO2 and catalytic amounts of p-benzoquinone selectively gives 1,4-diacetoxy-2-alkenes.The reaction proceeds with high stereo-and regioselectivity, and by ligand control the reaction can be made to take place with either cis or trans 1,4-diacetoxylation across the diene in cyclic systems.Also in an acyclic system the 1,4-relative stereochemistry can be controlled as shown by the stereoselective oxidation of (E,E)- and (E,Z)-2,4-hexadiene to their corresponding dl (>88percent dl) and meso (>95percent meso) diacetates 15 and 18, respectively.Evidence is provided that supports a mechanism involving a trans acetoxypalladation of the conjugated diene to give an intermediate (?-allyl)palladium complex, followed by either a cis or trans attack by acetate on the allyl group.The cis attack is best explained by a cis migration from a (?-allyl)palladium intermediate.The diacetoxylation reaction was applied to the preparation of a key intermediate for the synthesis of dl-shikimic acid.