A novel and efficient synthesis of maleic anhydrides by palladium-catalyzed dicarbonylation of terminal acetylenes in H2O/dioxane

Maleic anhydrides can be obtained in high yields by the PdCl2-catalyzed dicarbonylation of terminal acetylenes in H2O/dioxane. It is not necessary to add reoxidants to the reaction, but reoxidants can affect the yield and the rate. We also found that the rate decreased and only traces of maleic anhydrides were formed in the presence of KCl or LiCl.