Pd-catalyzed CO-free double carbonylation for the synthesis of 1,4-ketoesters with Mo(CO) as the carbonyl source

An unprecedented Pd-catalyzed CO-free double carbonylation using Mo(CO) 6 as a safe carbonyl source for the efficient synthesis of 1,4-ketoesters in an atom- and step-economic manner has been developed. The current method features operational safety, a wide substrate range, good functional group compatibility and easy scale-up. The application of carbonylation using a safe carbonyl source for the synthesis of biologically and synthetically useful carbonyl-containing molecules is underway in our lab. A Pd-catalyzed CO-free double carbonylation using Mo(CO) 6 as safe carbonyl source toward 1,4-ketoesters has been developed. This method features operational safety, wide substrate range, good functional group compatibility and easy scale-up.