Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylative Cyclization of Propargyl Alcohols with CO2: a Straightforward Route to Butenolides

A palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative cyclization of propargyl alcohol with carbon dioxide (CO2) as a carbonyl source has been reported for the first time, which provides an efficient and straightforward route to a range of valuable butenolides in moderate to high yields. The reaction can be performed in one step and features good functional group tolerance and broad substrate scope. The application of the new method was also demonstrated by direct carbonylative cyclization of biologically active molecules.