The palladium-catalyzed hydroxycarbonylation of aryl and vinyl bromides in the presence of acetic anhydride and lithium formate as a carbon monoxide source has been developed. The combination of palladium(II) acetate with 1,1¢-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) is an efficient catalytic system when the reaction is carried out at 120°C.

A procedure is described for the preparation of highly branched ketones and alcohols with the general formulae R2R3R4C.CH R5*CO-R1 and R2R3R4C-CH R6*CR6(OH) R l. The multi-step route involves classical synthetic methods which give good yields. R may be varied and can be either alkyl or aryl.

Carboxylic acids Q 0420Palladium-Catalyzed Hydroxycarbonylation of Aryl and Vinyl Bromides by Mixed Acetic Formic Anhydride. -The hydroxycarbonylation of aryl bromides and a related vinyl bromide (Ih) is achieved with lithium formate under the optimized conditions shown. -(BERGER, P.; BESSMERNYKH*, A.; CAILLE, J.-C.; MIGNONAC, S.; Synthesis 2006, 18, 3106-3110; FINORGA S. A., F-38670 Chasse-sur-Rhone, Fr.; Eng.) -Mais 04-081