Suppression of double bond isomerisation in intramolecular Heck reactions using supercritical carbon dioxide

The modified reagent system [Pd(OCOCF3)2/P(2-furyl)3/EtNiPr2] gives enhanced conversions compared with standard conditions [Pd(OAc)2/PPh3/NEt3] for intramolecular Heck cyclisations, and when used in scCO2 results in the suppression of double bond isomerisation to minimal levels, which is otherwise a serious competing side reaction in conventional solvents.