Nucleo-Palladation-Triggering Alkene Functionalization: A Route to γ-Lactones.

An unprecedented strategy for the highly effective synthesis of γ-lactones from homoallylic alcohols was achieved by palladium catalysis in one step. The protocol affords aryl, alkyl, and spiro γ-lactones directly from readily available homoallylic alcohols in good yields with excellent functional group tolerance and high chemoselectivity under mild conditions.