Pd-catalyzed highly regioselective olefin isomerization–hydrocarboxylation with formic acid: a facile approach to synthesize linear carboxylic acids from internal olefins

Abstract

Internal olefins can efficiently undergo double bond isomerization and regioselective hydrocarboxylation with HCO₂H in the presence of Pd(OAc)₂ and 1,2-DTBPMB, providing a wide variety of corresponding linear carboxylic acids bearing various functional groups in good yields and >20 : 1 linear/branch ratios under mild reaction conditions. The reaction is operationally simple and requires no CO gas and acid co-catalysts.