The Mechanism of the Wacker Reaction: A Tale of Two Hydroxypalladations |
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Authors: | John A. Keith Dr. Patrick M. Henry Dr. |
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Affiliation: | 1. Institut für Elektrochemie, Universit?t Ulm, 89081 Ulm (Germany), Fax: (+49)?731‐50‐25409 http://www.uni‐ulm.de/theo_echem/;2. Department of Chemistry, Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60626 (USA);3. Deceased October 18, 2008. |
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Abstract: | We present a concise review on the most pertinent investigations that illuminate the complicated and elusive mechanism for the Wacker process, homogeneous olefin oxidation by palladium(II) catalysts. For more than four decades, multitudes of creative and elegant studies detailing the nucleophilic addition and other steps of the Wacker process have appeared contradictory, while in fact modern perspective has shown an intricate and colorful picture of the “textbook” organometallic reaction. A summary and critical analysis of previous studies is of great importance to explain resolved and highlight unresolved questions about this frequently misunderstood reaction. |
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Keywords: | homogeneous catalysis olefin oxidation palladium chloride reaction mechanisms Wacker process |
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