Palladium-catalyzed ring expansion reaction of (Z)-1-(1,3-butadienyl)cyclobutanols with aryl iodides. stereospecific synthesis of (Z)-2-(3-aryl-1-propenyl)cyclopentanones.

[reaction: see text] A novel type of cascade ring expansion process has been developed by the palladium-catalyzed reaction of (Z)-1-(1,3-butadienyl)cyclobutanols with aryl iodides. The reaction proceeds in a stereospecific manner to produce (Z)-2-(3-aryl-1-propenyl)cyclopentanones. It has also been found that regioselective alpha-arylation of alkenyl cyclopentanones proceeds to afford the alpha-arylated cyclopentanones.