Synthesis of Unsaturated Lactones via Palladium-Catalyzed Cyclization of Alkenoic Acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00072a004

Acyclic and cyclic, aliphatic or aromatic, 4- or 5-alkenoic acids cyclize in high yield to 5- or 6-membered unsaturated lactones using 5 mol percent Pd(OAc)2, 2 equiv of NaOAc, and 1 atm O2.