Rhodium-catalysed direct formylmethylation using vinylene carbonate and sequential dehydrogenative esterification

A rhodium-catalysed direct formylmethylation adopting vinylene carbonate as an ethynol equivalent is reported. The developed catalytic system is further utilised for the oxidant-free production of esters with the liberation of hydrogen gas. Some control experiments are conducted to elucidate the reaction mechanism.Kato M., Ghosh K., Nishii Y., et al. Rhodium-catalysed direct formylmethylation using vinylene carbonate and sequential dehydrogenative esterification. Chemical Communications 57, 8280 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03362J