Palladium(II) and/or copper(II)-catalyzed carboxylation of small alkanes such as methane and ethane with carbon monoxide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(94)80134-7

Small alkanes such as methane and ethane react with carbon monoxide in the presence of transition metal catalysts to give the corresponding carboxylic acids in high yields.For the reaction of ethane, the Pd(OAc)2/Cu(OAc)2 mixed catalyst is the best, whereas that of methane proceeds most efficiently by the Cu(OAc)2 catalyst system. Key words: Palladium; Carbon monoxide; Alkane activation; Copper; Methane; Ethane