Palladium iodide catalyzed oxidative carbonylations

Since the first publication in 1992, the PdI₂/KI-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation reaction has emerged as a powerful methodology for the multicomponent and sustainable synthesis of high value added carbonylated compounds (esters, amides, lactones, lactams, ureas, oxazolidinones, cyclic carbonates, and so on) starting from simple feedstocks (alkynes, alcohols, amines, etc) in combination with carbon monoxide as the simplest and atom-economical source of the carbonyl group. The main feature of this methodology is related to the possibility to catalytically assembly several simple units in an ordered sequence to produce carbonylated derivatives in a selective way under conditions that employ the greenest and most convenient oxidation agent available (that is, oxygen from air) with formation of water as benign coproduct.

In this Review, I will illustrate the achievements that have been realized in this exciting field of research in the course of the years.