Hydroformylation of cinnamic acid derivatives catalyzed by rhodium complexes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(93)83039-X

The hydroformylation of methyl cinnamate catalyzed by various rhodium complexes affords the aldehyde 1a with good chemo- and regio-selectivity, while in the case of methyl p-chlorocinnamate the predominant reaction is the substrate hydrogenation. Higher yields of the desired aldehydes 1a and 1b are obtained by hydroformylation of the cinnamaldehyde and p-chlorocinnamaldehyde diethylacetal, respectively, under the same reaction conditions. These aldehyde products are valuable drug precursors.