The use of iminopyridines as efficient ligands in the palladium(II)-catalyzed cyclization of (Z)-4′-acetoxy-2′-butenyl 2-alkynoates

Iminopyridines were found to be a sort of efficient bidentate ligands for the palladium(II)-catalyzed cyclization of (Z)-4′-acetoxy-2′-butenyl 2-alkynoates in acetic acid to afford the α-(Z)-acetoxyalkylidene-β-vinyl-γ-butyrolactones. The iminopyridine ligands could not only inhibit β-hydride elimination but also stabilize the vinyl-palladium intermediate in acetic acid in the reaction.