Diastereoselective synthesis of polysubstituted pyrrolidinone as a key intermediate for the anticancer agents by palladium(II)-catalyzed carboxylation.

Palladium(II)-catalyzed carboxylation of chiral olefins 6a-d has been examined under various conditions. In the weak basic condition (K2CO3), 7a-d were obtained in good yields. Alternatively, in the strong basic condition, pyrrolidinones 8a-d were obtained resulting in excellent yields and with high diastereoselectivity.