Carbonylative transformation of benzyl formates into alkyl 2-arylacetates in organic carbonates

Abstract

A carbonylation procedure for the transformation of benzyl formates in organic carbonates has been developed. In this reaction, benzyl formates were successfully applied as both the CO source and benzyl alcohol substrates. Additionally, organic carbonates played multiple roles as a green solvent, an in situ activator, and a nucleophile in this procedure; various alkyl 2-arylacetates could be obtained in moderate to excellent yields.