A redox neutral rearrangement of an allene to a 1,3-diene by means of a unique palladium
hydride complex is reported. The palladium hydride complex is generated from a simple
Pd0 source and boric acid [B(OH)3], which is typically identified as a waste by-product of the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction.
A mechanism for this transformation using this novel palladium hydride complex is
presented; using a direct sample loop and flow injection ESI-HRMS analysis we have
detected and identified key π-allylpalladium complexes that support the addition of
the palladium hydride complex to the allene.
Key words
allene - 1,3-diene - palladium - boric acid - palladium hydride complex