Carbonylation of alpha-chloroketones to beta-keto esters using palladium carbene catalysts

摘要

The present invention is a novel process for producing ²-ketoesters 1 by contacting an ±-chloroketone 2 with carbon monoxide and a hydroxyl-containing compound of formula R 3 OH in the presence of a base and a palladium carbene catalyst complex 3 . The subject catalysts demonstrate superior rates and selectivity when compared to known (Ph 3 P) 2 PdCl 2 .