ChemInform Abstract: Rhodium-Catalyzed Tandem Dehydrogenative Coupling-Michael Addition: Direct Synthesis of Phthalides from Benzoic Acids and Alkenes.

This new method provides access to phthalides by reaction of benzoic acids with vinyl ethyl ketone, methyl acrylate, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, ethyl and phenyl vinyl sulfones with interesting regio- and chemoselectivity though often in moderate yields only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]