Highly active and selective catalysts for the production of methyl propanoate via the methoxycarbonylation of ethene

Abstract

A highly active and selective catalyst for the production of methyl propanoate via the methoxycarbonylation of ethene is described, based on the new zero valent palladium complex L₂Pd(dba) [where L₂ = 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)benzene and dba = trans,trans-dibenzylideneacetone].