Ferrocenylmethylphosphanes and the Alpha Process for Methoxycarbonylation: The Original Story

The Lucite Alpha process is the predominant technology for preparation of acrylics. This two-stage involves palladium-catalysed formation methyl propanoate from ethene, CO, and methanol, followed by oxidative formylation into methacrylate. A range bis-1,2-disubstituted aminomethylferrocenes has been prepared characterised. These complexes serve as precursors to a variety bulky ferrocenylmethyldiphosphanes that, in turn, function ligands process. We describe crystal structures five ligand provide rationale their design. In situ catalyst testing on palladium derived ferrocenylphosphanes demonstrates that these are highly selective (>99.5%) catalysts methanol have turnover numbers exceeding 50,000. article credits those researchers who worked this project early days, received little or no credit achievements endeavours.