Thermal Activation of Alkane C–H Bonds by Palladium Catalysts. Carbonylation of Alkanes with Carbon Monoxide

The reaction of cyclohexane with 30 atm CO at 80 °C by using the Pd(OAc)2/CF3COOH catalyst system without irradiation gives rise to cyclohexanecarboxylic acid in 195% yield based on Pd with a small amount of benzoic acid. The reactions of cycloheptane and n-hexane give similar results. This constitutes the first example of carboxylation of alkanes with CO by transition metal complexes without irradiation.