INSERTION OF CARBON-MONOXIDE INTO ALLYLIC CARBON-SULFUR BONDS CATALYZED BY PALLADIUM AND RUTHENIUM COMPLEXES

The metal complex-catalyzed insertion of carbon monoxide into the C-S bond of various allylic sulfides affords thioesters in up to 88% yield . The reaction is catalyzed by various palladium complexes, with conco mitant isomerization of the olefin into conjugation with the carbonyl group. In these cases, only the trans isomer was detected by H-1 NMR s pectroscopy. Ruthenium complexes also catalyzed the carbonylation but the initially formed beta,gamma-thioester was not isomerized.