Catalytic Oxidative Decarboxylation of Malic Acid into Dimethyl Malonate in Methanol with Dioxygen

If you′ve got it, use it: Malic acid is converted into dimethyl malonate by a direct, one-pot process. The process is cyanide- and halide-free. Phosphovanadomolybdates serve as bifunctional catalysts, effecting the oxidative decarboxylation and esterification in a consecutive manner. Oxidative CC bond cleavage first forms hemiacetals. The results serve as example for the production of valuable chemicals by fully utilizing the oxygen atoms and basic structure inherent to biomass products.