Carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas) as a C1-building block for selective catalytic methylation

A catalytic reaction using syngas (CO/H₂) as feedstock for the selective β-methylation of alcohols was developed whereby carbon monoxide acts as a C1 source and hydrogen gas as a reducing agent. The overall transformation occurs through an intricate network of metal-catalyzed and base-mediated reactions. The molecular complex Mn(CO)₂BrHN(C₂H₄PⁱPr₂)₂]] 1 comprising earth-abundant manganese acts as the metal component in the catalytic system enabling the generation of formaldehyde from syngas in a synthetically useful reaction. This new syngas conversion opens pathways to install methyl branches at sp³ carbon centers utilizing renewable feedstocks and energy for the synthesis of biologically active compounds, fine chemicals, and advanced biofuels.

A broadly applicable catalytic process for the selective β-methylation of alcohols is presented using syngas (CO/H₂) directly as a C1 building block and the shown manganese complex in the presence of a base as the catalytic system.