Process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds

Abstract

Process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds having 3 or more carbon atoms by reaction with carbon monoxide and an hydroxyl group containing compound in the presence of a catalyst system. The catalyst system includes (a) a source of palladium cations; (b) a bidentate diphosphine of formula I, R1R2>P—R3—R—R4—P<R5R6  (I) wherein P represents a phosphorus atom; R1, R2, R5 and R6 independently represent the same or different optionally substituted organic groups containing a tertiary carbon atom through which the group is linked to the phosphorus atom; R3 and R4 independently represent optionally substituted alkylene groups and R represents an optionally substituted aromatic group; (c) a source of anions derived from an acid having a pKa less than 3, as measured at 18° C. in an aqueous solution. The process is carried out in the presence of an aprotic solvent.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.