A method for the transformation of
o-allyl aryl ketonesto
![](/images/gifchars/gamma.gif)
-butyrolactones using a catalytic amount ofCp
2Ti(PMe
3)
2 orCp
2Ti(CO)
2 is described. Thiscatalytic "hetero Pauson-Khand"-type process proceeds
via thecarbonylation of an oxatitanacycle followed by thermally-inducedreductive elimination to form a
![](/images/gifchars/gamma.gif)
-butyrolactoneand to regenerate the catalyst. We have investigated the scope andlimitations of this catalytic methodology. Ourresults are consistent with the view that the key step in thiscatalytic cycle is formation of a charge transfer complexor involves reversible electron transfer between the catalyst and thesubstrate.