Palladium-catalyzed addition reaction of thioesters to norbornenes

A palladium complex derived from Pd2(dba)3 and tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)phosphine catalyzes the addition reaction of thioesters to norbornenes, giving trans-2-acyl -3-organothionorbornanes. The trans-adducts are predominantly obtained with the acyl group at the endo-position and the organothio group at the exo-position. Aroyl and heteroaroyl thioesters as well as alkanoyl thioesters were reacted, including S-(4-tolyl) phenylthioglyoxylate and methyl 2-(4-tolylthio)-2-oxo-acetate.

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