Addition of carboxyalkyl radicals to alkenes through a catalytic process, using a Mn(II)/Co(II)/O2 redox system.
A novel strategy for production of mono- and dicarboxylic acids by the addition of carboxyalkyl radicals to alkenes and dienes, respectively, was successfully developed through a catalytic process with use of Mn(II)/Co(II)/O(2) system. Thus, a variety of carboxylic acids were prepared by the reaction of alkenes and dienes with acid anhydrides in the presence of a very small amount of Mn(OAc)(2) (0.5 mol %) and Co(OAc)(2) (0.1 mol %) under dilute dioxygen.