Palladium-Catalyzed Isobenzofuran Generation under Neutral Conditions via Oxidative Addition to Lactol Methyl Ether

A novel method for generation of isobenzofuran is developed from lactol methyl ether using palladium catalysts. This reaction can be carried out under neutral conditions and hence improves on the precedent methods under acidic or basic conditions and at high temperatures. Furthermore, this Pd-catalyzed isobenzofuran generation suggests the involvement of oxidative addition of Pd catalyst into benzylic or allylic methyl ethers. [reaction: see text]