Alkoxycarbonylation and phenoxycarbonylation reactions catalyzed by a palladium(II) organometallic complex encaged in Y zeolite

Abstract

Catalytic routes for synthesis of alkyl benzoates by alkoxycarbonylation reactions and aryl benzoates by phenoxycarbonylation reactions of aryl iodides are described using a palladium–1,10-phenanthroline complex encaged in Y zeolite. Moderate to excellent yields (40–99 %) of various benzoates were obtained at low Pd loadings of 0.6 mol%. The catalyst could be effectively removed from the reaction mixture by a simple filtration process and was reused four times with only minor loss of activity. Furthermore, its catalytic activity was further highlighted by a comparison with another two supported Pd catalysts. The protocol has the advantages of easy handing, moderate to excellent yield, and catalyst recyclability.