The PdCl 2 -catalyzed cyclization of α-alkoxy dienones leads to 2-hydroxycyclopentenones, whereas the Pd(OAc) 2 -catalyzed reaction leads to cross-conjugated cyclopentenones through an oxidative process. ... During the course of a survey of Lewis acids for use in a catalytic asymmetric version 1 of the Nazarov reaction, 2 we examined the effect of PdCl 2 (MeCN) 2 on dienone 1a. Cyclization to 2-hydroxycyclopentenone 2a took place in 91% yield in the presence of ...