SO2F2-Mediated One-Pot Synthesis of Aryl Carboxylic Acids and Esters from Phenols through a Pd-Catalyzed Insertion of Carbon Monoxide

A one-pot Pd-catalyzed carbonylation of phenols into their corresponding aryl carboxylic acids and esters through the insertion of carbon monoxide has been developed. This procedure offers a direct synthesis of aryl carboxylic acids and esters from inexpensive and abundant starting materials (phenols, SO2 F2 and CO) under mild conditions. This method tolerates a broad range of functional groups and is also applicable for the modification of complicated natural products.