Alkali-modified heterogeneous Pd-catalyzed synthesis of acids, amides and esters from aryl halides using formic acid as the CO precursor

To establish an environmentally friendly green chemical process, we minimized and resolved a significant proportion of waste and hazards associated with conventional organic acids and molecular gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO). Herein, we report a facile and milder reaction procedure, using low temperatures/pressures and shorter reaction time for the carboxyl- and carbonylation of diverse arrays of aryl halides over a newly developed cationic Lewis-acid promoted Pd/Co3O4 catalyst. Furthermore, the reaction proceeded in the absence of acid co-catalysts, and anhydrides for CO release. Catalyst reusability was achieved via scalable, safer, and practical reactions that provided moderate to high yields, paving the way for developing a novel environmentally benign method for synthesizing carboxylic acids, amides, and esters.

Automated summary

A novel environmentally friendly green chemical process using a newly developed catalyst was reported, minimizing waste and hazards associated with conventional organic acids and molecular gases. The reaction procedure is facile and milder, achieving moderate to high yields without the need for acid co-catalysts or anhydrides for CO release. The catalyst reusability through scalable, safer, and practical reactions suggests a potential novel method for synthesizing carboxylic acids, amides, and esters.