Copper-Catalyzed and Indium-Mediated Methoxycarbonylation of Unactivated Alkyl Iodides with Balloon CO

This work emphasizes the synthesis of alkyl esters via Cu-catalyzed and In-mediated alkoxycarbonylation of unactivated alkyl iodides in the presence of In or InI. The reactions were suitable for the preparation of primary, secondary, and even tertiary alkyl esters, representing an exceptionally rare example for the creation of quaternary carbon centers upon formation of esters. The preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that alkyl radicals were involved, and Cu/In/CO played a cooperative role in the carbonylation event.