Preparation of N-hydroxysuccinimido esters via palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of aryl triflates and halides

N-Hydroxysuccinimido esters of aromatic carboxylic acids (a.k.a. active esters) can be made using a potentially general, one-step procedure via Pd-catalyzed carbonylation of an aryl triflate or aryl iodide with CO and N-hydroxysuccinimide. Excellent yields (up to 94%) were observed when the reaction was done in DMSO at 70°C and 1 atmosphere of CO pressure.