Formation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids and salts thereof from metalalactones and anionic polyelectrolytes

A composition utilized for producing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, the composition comprising:

• (a) a Group 8-10 transition metal precursor compound comprising and at least one first ligand selected independently from a diene ligand, an ether ligand, an organic carbonyl ligand, a thioether ligand, an amine ligand, a nitrile ligand, a phosphine ligand, or a carbene ligand;
• (b) at least one second ligand selected independently from a diene ligand, an ether ligand, an organic carbonyl ligand, a thioether ligand, an amine ligand, a nitrile ligand, a phosphine ligand, or a carbene ligand;
• (c) an anionic polyaromatic resin with associated metal cations comprising a metallated phenol-formaldehyde resin, a metallated polyhydroxyarene-formaldehyde resin, or a metallated polyhydroxyarene- and fluorophenol-formaldehyde resin;
• (d) an olefin;
• (e) carbon dioxide (CO2);
• and
• (f) a diluent.

A process for producing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, the process comprising:

• (a) contacting in any order
• (i) a transition metal precursor compound comprising a Group 10 transition metal and at least one first ligand;
• (ii) at least one second ligand;
• and
• (iii) an anionic polyelectrolyte with associated metal cations, wherein the anionic polyelectrolyte comprises an alkoxide, an aryloxide, an acrylate, a (meth)acrylate, a sulfonate, an alkyl thiolate, an aryl thiolate, an alkyl amide, or an aryl amine groups;
• (iv) an olefin;
• (i) carbon dioxide (CO2);
• and
• (vi) a diluent, to provide a reaction mixture;
• and
• (b) contacting the reaction mixture with a metal-containing base to produce an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid salt.