The polymer-supported bimetallic catalyst FVP-PdCl2-2CuCl(2) (PVP, poly(N-v
inyl-2-pyrrolidone), obtained in situ by the addition of CuCl2 to an alcoho
lic solution of PVP-PdCl2, exhibits high selectivity and activity for the o
xidative carbonylation of aniline with carbon monoxide and oxygen to ethyl
N-phenylcarbamate in the presence of a base (NaOAc) under atmospheric press
ure. The strong synergic effect of Pd-Cu gives rise to a clear increase in
the selectivity and activity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res
erved.