Lactonization of Unsaturated Alcohols Catalyzed by Palladium Complexes under Neutral Conditions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00018a029

Secondary and tertiary allylic alcohols react with carbon monoxide in the presence of catalytic quantities of bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium (0) and 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane affording lactones in 45-92percent isolated yields. α,β-Unsaturated acids are formed by isomerization and carbonylation of primary allylic alcohols. 2-(5H)-Furanones were isolated in yields of 60-80percent when alkynols were employed as substrates for the cyclocarbonylation process.