Palladium-Catalyzed Nucleophilic Substitution of Propargylic Carbonates and Meldrum's Acid Derivatives

The palladium-catalyzed reaction of propargylic carbonates with Meldrum's acid derivatives proceeds smoothly in the presence of Pd(OAc)(2) and P(2-furyl)(3) in THF at 80 degrees C to give substitution products. The substitution products can be useful intermediates for the stereoselective synthesis of functionalized (Z)-gamma-alkylidene-gamma-butyrolactones.