Cyclocarbonylation reactions of allylphenols and allylnaphthols catalyzed by Pd/C-1,4-bis(diphenylphosphine)butane

Palladium/activated carbon (Pd/C) in the presence of 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for cyclocarbonylation reactions of 2-allyl phenols affording five-, six-, and seven-membered ring lactones. Various examples of cyclocarbonylation are reported and the regioselectivity is compared with the homogeneous system. Both commercial Pd/C and Pd/C prepared from activated carbons obtained from vegetable and polymeric wastes are investigated. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.