A general, highly efficient and regioselective methoxycarbonylation, by means of a palladium-salicylicborate-catalyzed protocol, of terminal alkyl and aryl olefins is described. The substrates include aliphatic alkenes, allylbenzenes, and styrene derivatives. The yields are very good (60-92%) and the regioselectivity, in favor of the linear ester, is up to quantitative unprecedented in the case of styrenes.
