Phthalides (isobenzofuranone), a family of five-membered lactones in plants, are important building blocks in a large number of biologically active compounds.[1] 3-Arylphthalides, for example, are useful intermediates for the synthesis of triand tetracyclic natural products such as anthracycline antibiotics.[2] Approaches have been developed for the synthesis of these organic skeletons.[3] The tandem carbonylation of benzylic alcohol and ortho-halo ...
