Carbonylation of Olefins under Mild Temperature Conditions in the Presence of Palladium Complexes

During a search for catalysts that allow carbonylation reactions on olefins to proceed below 100 °C, complex palladium( II ) compounds having the formula L m PdX n were found to be catalytically active. L denotes a ligand such as a phosphine, nitrile, amine, or olefin, X is an acid residue, and m+n is 3 or 4. The catalysts permit the carbonylation of heat‐sensitive compounds, as well as selective carbonylation of polyunsaturated olefins. The new process can also be carried out on the industrial scale, as is shown by the carbonylation of cyclododecatriene