Pd(II)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Alkylidene Phthalides via a Decarbonylative Annulation Reaction.

An unprecedented Pd(II)-catalyzed decarbonylative C-H/C-C activation and annulation reaction, which proceeds via intramolecular cyclization, is reported. This reaction of hydroxynaphthoquinones with disubstituted alkynes provides good yields of substituted alkylidene phthalides, which are the key intermediates for the synthesis of bioactive natural products.