Synthesis of 1,2-and 1,3-Dicarboxylic Acids via Pd(II)-Catalyzed Carboxylation of Aryl and Vinyl C-H Bonds

A Pd(II)-catalyzed reaction protocol for the direct carboxylation of benzoic and phenylacetic acid derivatives to form dicarboxylic acids has been developed. The reaction conditions are also applicable for the carboxylation of vinyl C-H bonds, The first C-H insertion Pd-aryl complex from carboxylic acids has been characterized by X-ray crystallography.