Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylative Transformation of Organic Halides with Formic Acid as the Coupling Partner and CO Source: Synthesis of Carboxylic Acids.

A palladium-catalyzed carbonylative transformation of organic halides with formic acid as the coupling partner to produce carboxylic acids has been developed. With a catalytic amount of DCC as the activator of formic acid, the process can be realized successfully through benzoic formic anhydride as the intermediate. Both vinyl and aryl (pseudo)halides were conveniently transformed into the corresponding acids in good yields.