Confirming the existence of π-allyl-palladium intermediates during the reaction of meta photocycloadducts with palladium(ii) compoundsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details and spectroscopic characterisation. CCDC 698743. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c2cc37708j

The transient existence of π-allyl-palladium intermediates formed by the reaction of Pd(OAc) 2 and anisole-derived meta photocycloadducts has been demonstrated using NMR techniques. The intermediates tended to be short-lived and underwent rapid reductive elimination of palladium metal to form allylic acetates, however this degradation process could be delayed by changing the reaction solvent from acetonitrile to chloroform. The generation of novel π-allyl-Pd intermediates from meta photocycloadducts is confirmed using NMR techniques.