Palladium-Catalyzed Tandem Carbonylative Diels–Alder Reaction for Construction of Bridged Polycyclic Skeletons

A palladium-catalyzed tandem carbonylative lactonization and Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction between aldehyde-tethered benzylhalides and alkenes has been developed. A range of alkenes and aldehyde-tethered benzylhalides bearing different substituents can be successfully transformed into the corresponding bridged polycyclic compounds in good yields. This strategy provides a unique approach to complex lactone-containing bridged polycyclic compounds.