Pyran-2-ones 3 undergo a novel Pd-0-catalyzed 1,3-rearrangement to afford isomers 6. The reaction proceeds via an eta(2)-Pd complex, the pyramidalization of which (confirmed by quantum chemistry calculations) offers a favorable antiperiplanar alignment of the Pd-C and allylic C-O bonds (C), thus allowing the formation of an eta(3)-Pd intermediate.
Subsequent rotation and rate-limiting recombination with the carboxylate arm then gives isomeric pyran-2-ones 6. The calculated free energies reproduce the observed kinetics semi-quantitatively.