Gas-phase studies of metal catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions of esters

Abstract

Metal-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling reactions of esters offer new opportunities for formation of C-C bonds with CO2 as the only coproduct. Here I provide an overview of: key solution phase literature; thermochemical considerations for decarboxylation of esters and thermolysis of esters in the absence of a metal catalyst. Results from my laboratory on the use of multistage ion trap mass spectrometry experiments and DFT calculations to probe the gas-phase metal catalyzed decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions of allyl acetate and related esters are then reviewed. These studies have explored the role of the metal carboxylate complex in the gas phase decarboxylative coupling of allyl acet..