Synthesis of Carboxylic Acids through the Formation of C-C Bond between Saturated Hydrocarbons and CO in the Presence of Mg/K2S2O8/TFA System

Magnesium powder (Mg) promoted the carboxylation reaction of saturated hydrocarbons with carbon monoxide (CO) in the presence of potassium peroxodisulfate (K2S2O8) in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to yield the corresponding carboxylic acids and alkyl trifluoroacetates. About 80% conversion of cyclohexane was achieved when 5 mmol of magnesium, 5 mmol of potassium peroxodisulfate, 3 mL of TFA, I mmol of cyclohexane, 50 atm of CO were used at 80 °C for 30 h.