An effective Pd-catalyzed hydroxycarbonylation of olefins with CO and HCOOH

A new protocol for Pd-catalyzed regioselective hydroxy-carbonylation of olefins with formic acid under low pressure of carbon monoxide has been developed. The same catalytic system provides good selectivity to 2-phenylpropionic acid in carbonylation of styrene and to linear acids in carbonylation of terminal alkenes. The reaction is highly susceptible to catalyst precursor and solvent nature.