Palladium(II)-catalyzed carboxylation of benzene and other aromatic compounds with carbon monoxide under very mild conditions

Aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, anisole, and na phthalene were carboxylated by palladium(II) acetate catalyst with carbon m onoxide in the presence of potassium peroxodisulfate in trifluoroacetic aci d (TFA) at room temperature under atmospheric pressure. The aromatic carbox ylic acids were formed in good yields; for example, the carboxylation of be nzene with carbon monoxide proceeds quantitatively under the optimal condit ions. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.