Patent ID: 6294687
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for the preparation of saturated carboxylic acids and esters of formula III ##STR8##wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently hydrogen, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or cycloaliphatic group; when R is hydrogen, R.sub.5 is COOR' and when R is COOR', R is hydrogen, R' is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or cycloaliphatic group which comprises the steps ofa) reacting an olefin of formula II ##STR9##wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are as defined above, with a transition metal complex of the formula I ##STR10##wherein M is a group VIII metal; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are substitutents on the phosphine ligand and are selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or arylalkyl cycloaliphatic group; X is selected from aryl sulphonato, alkyl sulphonato, aryl carbonate, alkyl carbonate, formato or halides selected from Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.- or I.sup.- ; NO is a semilabile anionic chelating ligand containing a N donor and an O.sup.- group, wherein 1<n<10, with a protonic acid or hydrogen gas and a proton source, in an organic solvent, in a carbon monoxide atmosphere in a homogeneous medium, with or without excess phosphorus ligand,b) heating the mixture to a temperature between 30.degree. C. to 120.degree. C., for a period ranging between 30 to 180 minutes, at a pressure ranging between 1 to 40 atm,c) cooling the reaction mixture to ambient temperature,d) flushing with inert gas,e) removing the solvent,f) separating the catalyst; andg) isolating the compound of formula III.