The palladium-catalysed reaction of butadiene with acetic acid in the presence of phosphites

The palladium-catalysed co-oligomerisation of butadiene with acetic acid in the presence of various phosphites has been studied. It has been found that the use of ortho-alkyl or ortho-aryl substituted triaryl phosphites as ligands enables almost quantitative yields of acetoxyoctadienes to be obtained. Furthermore a significant degree of control of isomer ratios can be achieved.