Preparation of α,β-unsaturated esters and amides via external-CO-free palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of alkenyl tosylates

Palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of tosylates with phenyl formate is described. This procedure needs neither external carbon monoxide nor any pressure-resistant apparatus. A variety of cyclic and acyclic alkenyl tosylates can be converted into the corresponding phenyl esters in good yields. Furthermore, this method is effective for the one-pot synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated amides. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.