CO pressure as a key factor for the palladium-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation of benzyl chloride under mild conditions

Palladium-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation of benzyl chloride was investigate d at low temperature and low carbon monoxide pressure. The presence of benz ylpalladium moiety at the beginning of the reaction (before CO addition), a low CO pressure and a moderate stirring rate are needed to achieve the rea ction with high efficiency. Increasing the CO pressure or the stirring rate leads to the deactivation of the catalyst by formation of palladium carbon yl species. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.