The effects of solid acids as cocatalysts on the chelation-assisted hydroacylation of alkenes and alkynes

The use of homogeneous Bronsted acid cocatalysts (such as benzoic acid) in hydroacylation reactions via imine intermediates has been extensively studied, but the use of heterogeneous cocatalysts has been limited to montmorillonite K10. Thus, we can use other solid acids to increase the efficiency of the reaction. Here, we described the effects of sulfated zirconia, Al-MCM-41 or superacid modified montmorillonite on the hydroacylation of alkenes and alkynes with aldehydes via imine intermediates and in the presence of the Wilkinson complex. Furthermore, we addressed the dual role of montmorillonite, a redox reagent in the presence of TEMPO and an acid solid, allowing the direct use of benzyl alcohols as substrates to generate saturated or a-b unsaturated ketones.