Intermolecular methoxycarbonylation of terminal alkynes catalyzed by palladium(II) bis(oxazoline) complexes.

Boxing clever: Direct conversion of a terminal alkyne group into a beta-methoxyacrylate is realized with the aid of the bis(oxazoline) ligand (box). Acetyl and ketal protecting groups, free hydroxy groups, and acid-sensitive glycosidic bonds are not affected under the reaction conditions. The one-pot synthesis of (+/-)-dihydrokawain from the homopropargyl alcohol is also achieved. tfa = trifluoroacetate.