Fast microwave promoted palladium-catalyzed synthesis of phthalides from bromobenzyl alcohols utilizing DMF and Mo(CO)6 as carbon monoxide sources

A fast method utilizing in situ generated CO for the synthesis of phthalides has been developed. DMF and Mo(CO)6 were applied as two alternative CO-sources in these microwave promoted carbonylation–lactone formation reactions. Mo(CO)6 was found to be the more generally applicable CO-source and provided phthalides as well as dihydroisocoumarin, dihydroisoindone, and phthalimide from the corresponding aryl bromide via an efficient CO insertion within a 1 h reaction time.