Diastereoselective Alkene Hydroesterification Enabling the Synthesis of Chiral Fused Bicyclic Lactones

Palladium‐catalysed diastereoselective hydroesterification of alkenes assisted by the coordinative hydroxyl group in the substrate afforded a variety of chiral γ‐butyrolactones bearing two stereocenters. Employing the carbonylation‐lactonization products as the key intermediates, the route from the alkenes with single chiral center to chiral THF‐fused bicyclic γ‐lactones containing three stereocenters was developed. Palladium‐catalysed diastereoselective hydroesterification of functionalized alkenes afforded chiral γ‐butyrolactones bearing two stereocenters. Employing the carbonylation products as key intermediates, the route from alkenes with single chiral center to chiral THF‐fused bicyclic γ‐lactones containing three stereocenters was developed.