Methyl- and ethyl arylcarboxylates were synthesized by palladium-catal
yzed alkoxycarbonylation of various aryl p-toluenesulfonates (tosylate
s). Yields were highly dependent on the substituent of aryl tosylates
and phosphine ligands used. Ethoxycarbonylation of 4-acetylphenyl tosy
late by the use of a bisphosphine ligand gave ethyl 4-acetylbenzoate i
n quite satisfactory yields.