The first examples of selective carbonylation of n-butane and n-pentane

Abstract The polyhalomethane based superelectrophilic systems allowed us to accomplish the first efficient and selective carbonylation of n-butane and n-pentane with CO. Depending on the nature of the superelectrophilic system, Me 3 CCOOR or EtCH(Me)COOR (R = H, Alk) can be obtained at −20°C, 1 atm from n-butane and CO after water (or alcohol) treatment in ≈ 90% yield based on the superelectrophilic system. Pentane reacts with CO in the presence of the CBr 4 ·2AlBr 3 superacid to give a single product, EtC(Me) 2 COOR, in almost quantitative yield.