Help with cyclisation in chemistry!

tsr2202280

Does anyone know how this cyclisation works?? I can't figure it out... Screenshot 2026-01-07 160149.png

(edited 3 months ago)

Reply 1

TypicalNerd

Original post

by tsr2202280

Does anyone know how this cyclisation works?? I can't figure it out... Screenshot 2026-01-07 160149.png

My best guess is that step 1 involves complexation of PdCl2 to CO, then a ligand exchange where PdCl2(CO)2 loses a chloride, but coordinates to the precursor at the alkene.

This should activate the alkene and allow the alcohol group furthest away from the alkene to attack it at the more hindered position, forming the first of the two 5-membered rings.

Migratory insertion no doubt takes place next, which places the carbonyl in the correct position to be attacked by the other alcohol group. This should result in the formation of some Pd(0) species and the final product, with CuCl2 being used to regenerate the catalyst (although no O2 is supplied, so CuCl2 is not regenerated).

I’ll try figuring out the how the stereochemistry arises at some point when my brain is less fried.

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