Synthesis 2015; 47(20): 3079-3117
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1560465
review
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Palladium(II)-Catalysed Oxidation of Alkenes

Sam E. Mann
a   Argenta, Discovery Services, Charles River, 7-9 Spire Green Centre, Flex Meadow, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5TR, UK
,
L. Benhamou
b   Department of Chemistry, University College London, Christopher Ingold Laboratories, 20 Gordon St, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK   Email: tom.sheppard@ucl.ac.uk
,
Tom D. Sheppard*
b   Department of Chemistry, University College London, Christopher Ingold Laboratories, 20 Gordon St, London, WC1H 0AJ, UK   Email: tom.sheppard@ucl.ac.uk
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 01 May 2015

Accepted after revison: 25 June 2015

Publication Date:
26 August 2015 (online)


Abstract

This review provides a summary of recent developments in the palladium(II)-catalysed oxidation of alkenes, focusing largely on reactions which lead to the formation of new carbon–oxygen or carbon–nitrogen bonds. Three classes of reaction are covered: i) oxidations proceeding via allylic C–H bond cleavage and formation of a π-allyl complex; ii) Wacker-type oxidations proceeding via nucleopalladation followed by β-hydride elimination; and iii) 1,2-difunctionalisation of alkenes proceeding via nucleopalladation followed by functionalisation of the resulting σ-alkylpalladium(II) intermediate. The mechanisms are discussed alongside the scope and limitations of each reaction.

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

1.2 Oxidation Pathways

1.3 Observation of Reaction Intermediates

2 Allylic Oxidation

2.1 Background

2.2 Allylic Oxygenation

2.3 Allylic Amination

2.4 Allylic Functionalisation with Other Nucleophiles

3 The Wacker Oxidation

3.1 Background

3.2 Variation of the Co-Oxidant

3.3 Direct Oxygen-Coupled Wacker Oxidations

3.4 Aldehyde-Selective Wacker Oxidations

3.5 Wacker Oxidation of Internal Alkenes

3.6 Aza-Wacker Oxidations

4 Intermolecular 1,2-Difunctionalisation of Alkenes

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Oxyhalogenation Reactions

4.3 Dioxygenation Reactions

4.4 Oxycarbonylation Reactions

4.5 Aminohalogenation Reactions

4.6 Diamination Reactions

4.7 Aminooxygenation Reactions

4.8 Aminocarbonylation Reactions

5 Summary and Conclusions