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Ferrocenylmethylphosphanes and the Alpha Process for Methoxycarbonylation: The Original Story

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Bill CleggORCiD, Dr Ross Harrington

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Abstract

The Lucite Alpha process is the predominant technology for the preparation of acrylics. This two-stage process involves the palladium-catalysed formation of methyl propanoate from ethene, CO, and methanol, followed by the oxidative formylation of methyl propanoate into methyl methacrylate. A range of bis-1,2-disubstituted aminomethylferrocenes has been prepared and characterised. These complexes serve as precursors to a variety of bulky ferrocenylmethyldiphosphanes that, in turn, function as ligands in the palladium-catalysed process. We describe the crystal structures of five ligand precursors and provide a rationale for their design. In situ catalyst testing on palladium complexes derived from ferrocenylphosphanes demonstrates that these are highly selective (>99.5%) catalysts for the formation of methyl propanoate from ethene, CO, and methanol and have turnover numbers exceeding 50,000. This article credits those researchers who worked on this project in the early days, who received little or no credit for their achievements and endeavours.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Fortune KM, Castel C, Robertson CM, Horton PN, Light ME, Coles SJ, Waugh M, Clegg W, Harrington RW, Butler IR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Inorganics

Year: 2021

Volume: 9

Issue: 7

Online publication date: 17/07/2021

Acceptance date: 14/07/2021

Date deposited: 19/07/2021

ISSN (electronic): 2304-6740

Publisher: MDPI AG

URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics9070057

DOI: 10.3390/inorganics9070057

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