Homogeneous Cyclocarbonylation of Alkenols with Iron Pentacarbonyl

Abstract

We report substantially improved reaction conditions for palladium(II)-catalyzed tandem cyclization–intramolecular oxycarbonylation of (amino)polyols with a terminal double bond, based on utilization of iron pentacarbonyl [Fe(CO)₅] as an affordable and safe liquid supply of the carbonyl unit fully replacing gaseous carbon monoxide. Direct comparison with the classical version on a series of previously published substrates illustrates invariably shorter reaction times but comparable yields and selectivity.