A palladium complex derived from Pd2(dba)3 and dppp catalyzes the addition reaction of aroyl/heteroaroyl acid anhydrides to norbornenes, giving 2-aroyl/heteroaroyl-3-aroyloxy/heteroaroyloxy-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptanes. The C–O bond of acid anhydride is cleaved, and the aroyl/heteroaroyl and aroyloxy/heteroaroyloxy groups are added to alkenes. trans-Adducts are selectively obtained with the endo-benzoyl group and exo-benzoyloxy group.
