Carboxylation of gaseous alkanes with CO catalyzed by Pd-Cu-based catalysts: a spectroscopic study

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(94)05153-3

The Pd(OAc)2-Cu(OAc)2-K2S2O8-CF3COOH (TFA) system causes the carboxylation of small alkanes such as methane, ethane and propane under mild conditions to give the corresponding carboxylic acids with high yields.The interaction between Pd(OAc)2 and Cu(OAc)2 in TFA was studied by visible-UV spectroscopy, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ECSA), and 19F NMR measurements.It was found that in this system Pd(OCOCF3)2 and Cu(OCOCF3)2 could be generated in situ and then the Pd-Cu (1:1) complex would be formed in which Pd was more positive than that in Pd(OAc)2 alone.The Cu salt plays an important role of strengthening the electrophilicity of Pd(OAc)2.Keywords: Palladium; Methane; GH activation; Alkanes; Propane; Vis-UV