The first palladium-catalyzed 1,4-addition of terminal alkenes to acrylate esters.

A novel and efficient procedure for the synthesis of δ,γ-alkenyl esters with complete E-stereochemistry by the 1,4-addition of alkenes to acrylate esters in the presence of a catalytic amount of palladium chloride has been developed. This method provides a rapid and efficient access to substituted δ,γ-alkenyl esters.