A palladium-catalyzed cyclization-oxidation sequence:: Synthesis of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes and evidence for SN2 C-O bond formation

A novel palladium-catalyzed cyclization-oxidation sequence yielding bicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes was developed. A mechanism involving a Pd(II)/Pd(IV) cycle was proposed. An S(N)2 C-O bond formation from an alkyl-palladium(IV) intermediate was also suggested.