Carbonylation of benzyl chloride catalyzed by watersoluble palladium phosphine complex in a two-phase system

Abstract Benzyl chloride is carbonylated by water-soluble PdCl 2 [Ph 2 P( m -C 6 H 4 -SO 3 Na)] 2 in an aqueous NaOH/n-heptane, benzene, or anisole two-phase system to afford phenylacetic acid in 89–93% yields. Aqueous NaOH/n-BuOH system gives both phenylacetic acid and benzyl n-butyl ether in comparable yields. The reaction proceeds under atmospheric pressure of carbon monoxide at 50 °C. When the system is placed under CO atmosphere, carbon monoxide is absorbed immediately.