The Oxidative Coupling of Methyl Benzoate

The reaction of methyl benzoate (MBA) with pressurized (50 atm) artificial air (50 mol% O2–N2 mixture) at 150–200°C over a soluble palladium catalyst [PdLL2′] (L=phen, bipy, dppe; L′=OAc, TFA) afforded isomeric dimethyl bibenzoic acid esters (DMBBA). Different factors affect the reactivity and regioselectivity of the process. The reactivity is enhanced by trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, arguably by activating the C–H bond of the aromatic ring by its protonation. The increase of temperature not only increases the reaction rate (EA=5.5 kcal/mol) but also favors a formation of an ortho-coupled product. Ligands with strong trans influence (L=phen, bipy, or dppe) direct the oxidative coupling away from 2,X′-isomers (X=2, 3, or 4). Overall, electronic properties of a palladium catalyst are more important than steric restriction of the same catalyst for altering the activity and regioselectivity for MBA coupling.