Syngas reactions : II. The homogeneous catalyzed carbonylation and cyclization of allylic substrates

Carbon monoxide insertion and/or addition to allylic precursors may lead to the formation of both linear and cyclic carbonylation products. In examining these competing reaction paths, rhodium, platinum, palladium and nickel-based homogeneous catalysts have been developed which are particularly useful for the selective synthesis of γ-butyrolactam, N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidones, vinylacetate and phenylacetate esters and diesters from a variety of allylic and benzylic substrates. The extension of this catalysis to the carbonylation of certain vinylic and propargyl congeners had also been considered.