The first synthesis of (+)- and (-)-akolactone A is described by using Pd-catalyzed carbonylation. A comparison of the optical rotation of both enantiomers of akolactone A and the natural compound suggests that the absolute configuration at the 4-position of akolactone A is R.

Palladium catalysed carbonylation reactions using the meta- and para-iodo derivatives of all-cis-3-phenyl-1,2,4,5-tetrafluorocyclohexane (4) are illustrated as the start point for a variety of functional group interconversions. The resultant benzaldehyde and benzoic acids offer novel building blocks for further derivatisation and facilitate the incorporation of the facially polarised all-cis-1,...

The first asymmetric ring-expansion carbonylation of meso-epoxides to β-lactones is reported. Two structurally diverse chiral Cr(III) chloro complexes in conjunction with Co(2)(CO)(8) were shown to be competent catalytic systems for this transformation, displaying significant levels of asymmetric induction of up to 56% ee.

Competitive kinetic experiments utilising free radical carbonylation chemistry provide a first estimate for the rate constant for 6-endo cyclization of the 6-aza-7-ethyl-5-hexenoyl radical of (4.8 +/- 2.4) x 10(6) s(-1) at 90 degrees C in benzene, in good agreement with ONIOM-G3(MP2)-CC+COSMO-RS calculations (6.8 x 10(6) s(-1)).

Palladium-catalyzed highly regioselective carbonylation of substituted N,N-dimethylbenzylamines with the assistance of LiCl was developed. The ortho-functionalized N,N-dimethylbenzylamine was further transformed into ortho-methyl benzoate under mild conditions. These two transformations could be combined into one pot to produce the desired product in moderate yield. Applications of this methodo...