Carbonylative coupling of allylic acetates with aryl boronic acids

The first allylic carbonylation reaction of allylic acetates with aryl boronic acids under carbon monoxide has been developed. Using Pd–PCy3 as a catalyst, a wide spectrum of allylic acetates was carbonylated in the presence of various aryl boronic acids, affording α,β-unsaturated aryl ketones in good to excellent yields. Preliminary studies indicate that carbon monoxide always inserts at the least substituted terminal allylic carbon and the resulting β,γ-unsaturated aryl ketones generally isomerise to the ketones obtained.