Palladium-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective alkoxycarbonylation of unsymmetrical internal alkynes toward α, β-unsaturated succinates

Succinates play a vital role in industry, pharmaceutics, beverage, and cosmetics. A regio- and stereoselective alkoxycarbonylation of unsymmetrical internal alkynes with alcohols or phenols toward α, β-unsaturated succinates enabled by palladium catalysis has been accomplished under mild conditions. A series of α, β-unsaturated succinates with a broad range of functional groups were obtained in exclusive (E)-stereoselectivity and good yields. Furthermore, (Z)-stereoselectivity α, β-unsaturated can be obtained by a simple photocatalytic isomerization reaction.