Neighboring group effect in Pd-catalyzed carbonylation terminated by lactonization: a need for a protective group and/or DMF

Synthesis of analogues of antifungal podolactones via Pd-catalyzed processes revealed that tandem 6-exo-alkyne carbopalladation/carbonylative lactonization sequence is strongly solvent-dependent. Contrary to earlier reports, premature esterification was the predominant pathway when the starting enynes derived from (Z)-2-iodohex-2-en-1,4-diol were subjected to Pd-catalyzed carbonylation in MeOH. Apparently, irreversible complexation of Pd by the OH group prevented decarbonylation and hence 6-exo-alkyne carbopalladation. Similarly, the influence of the chelation was also evident when the reaction was applied to the analogous preparation of 3-hydroxymethylbutenolides. The neighboring group effect can be efficiently overcome through using DMF as the solvent in combination with protection of the OH function.