Mc. Simpson et al., CARBONYLATION OF ORGANIC HALIDES CATALYZED BY RHODIUM TRIETHYLPHOSPHINE COMPLEXES, Journal of the Chemical Society. Dalton transactions, (19), 1994, pp. 2899-2900
Allyl and benzyl halides but not phenyl or propyl halides have been ca
rbonylated in ethanol in the presence of rhodium triethylphosphine com
plexes to their respective butenoic or benzylic esters; no added base
was required.