Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of xylyl acetates and xylylene diacetates

Efficient C-H activation of alkylbenzenes and methylcyclohexenes to benzyl esters by Pd(OAc)2/Sn(OAc)2 catalyst system

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] As for the carboxylation of the C-H bond, Bryant et al have reported that selective sidechain acetoxylation of toluene and xylene proceeded in acetic acid by using a Pd(OAc) 2 / Sn(OAc) 2 /charcoal catalyst system. 9,10 Recently, we also found that the methoxy group of anisole was activated to give phenoxymethyl benzoate by using a Pd(OAc) 2 /Sn(OAc) 2 catalyst. 11 However, we are unaware of any report of a catalytic selective side-chain carboxylation of alkylbenzenes, apart from acetoxylation.…”