Synthesis of 3-phenoxy-1,3-dihydro-1-isobenzofuranones by palladium-catalyzed carbonylative cyclization of 2-bromobenzaldehyde with phenols

2-Bromobenzaldehyde reacts with phenols in acetonitrile under carbon monoxide pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride to afford the corresponding 3-phenoxy-1,3-dihydro-1-isobenzofuranones in high yields.