Parallel Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of Carboxylic Acids from Aryl Iodides, Bromides, and Vinyl Triflates Using Acetic Anhydride and Formate Anion as an External Condensed Source of Carbon Monoxide

The Pd-catalyzed carbonylation of aryl and vinyl halides or triflates to carboxylic acids is a key transformation in many laboratory-scale and industrial processes. Carbon monoxide is a reactive, inexpensive and widely available carbonyl source, but its high toxicity and the need for pressurized-gas systems often make its routine use impractical. In addition, modern pharmaceutical methodologies for the discovery and production of new substances, based on combinatorial and high-throughput approaches, have created a demand for automated handling and distribution of liquids and solids rather than for new, advanced gas-delivery systems. To address this, carbonylations that avoid the direct use of CO have been developed, improving safety and enabling scalable, automated workflows.