Solvent-free telomerization of isoprene with alcohols catalyzed by palladium(ɪɪ) carbene complexes

The effect of various factors on the activity and selectivity of palladium N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes in the telomerization of isoprene with alcohols has been studied. The leaving group of the palladium complex does not affect the results of telomerization of isoprene with methanol, which leads to a predominant formation of the head-to-head product. The use of more fatty alcohols as nucleophiles changes the reaction selectivity toward a preferential formation of the head-to-tail isomers.