Pd-catalyzed rearrangement of ferrocenylalkyl vinyl ethers to the related aldehydes and ketones

Abstract Ferrocenylalkyl vinyl ethers undergo a facile rearrangement (CH2Cl2, 20-25 °C, 0.5 h) in the presence of 3-4 mol% PdCl2(MeCN)2, to give the corresponding ferrocenyl alkanals or alkanones in high yields. Yttrium and lanthanide triflates and Lewis acids (AlCl3) were less effective as catalysts.