Allyl acetates were synthesised from allenes utilising methodology based on the general reactivity of pi-allyl palladium intermediates which participate efficiently in transformations involving nucleophiles. Reactions of allenes and aryl iodides in the presence of AcONa and Pd(OAc)(2)/PPh3 as the catalytic system afforded allyl acetates in moderate to good yields. Monosubstituted allenes, depending on their structure, produced either a separable mixture of two regioisomeric products or a single regioisomer. As allylic acetates can be easily hydrolysed, the methodology is applicable for the synthesis of allyl alcohols as well. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Synthesis of Allyl Acetates via Palladium-Catalysed Functionalisation of Allenes and 1,3-Dienes
π-Allylpalladium intermediates are known to participate efficiently in transformations involving nucleophilic species. Exploring these processes, we have developed a method for the preparation of allyl acetates via palladium-catalysed functionalisation of allenes and 1,3-dienes. Reactions of aryl iodides with either of these two classes of compounds and excess sodium acetate in the presence of Pd(OAc)2