Synthesis of phthalic acid derivatives via Pd-catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation of aromatic C-H bonds with alkyl chloroformates.

A Pd(ii)-catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation of aromatic C-H bonds with alkyl chloroformates has been developed. A broad range of benzamides and alkyl chloroformates are compatible with this protocol. The reaction is operationally simple and scalable. The direct group could be readily removed to access substituted phthalic acid esters (PAEs), 1,2-dibenzyl alcohols and phthalamides. Besides alkoxycarbonylation of benzamide β-C-H bonds, γ-alkoxycarbonylation of 2-phenylacetamide is also feasible.