Palladium-catalyzed Reaction of Isoprene with Water in Presence of Carbon Dioxide and Base

Abstract
Palladium(0)-catalyzed reaction of isoprene with water was enhanced by the presence of carbon dioxide and a base to give dimethyloctadienols. The same catalyst was found to dehydrate the dimethyloctadienols to afford the corresponding dimethyloctatrienes. The effect of acidity of water on the isoprene-water reaction was also studied.