Ligand-Modulated Palladium Oxidation Catalysis: Mechanistic Insights into Aerobic Alcohol Oxidation with the Pd(OAc)2/Pyridine Catalyst System

Abstract
Pd(OAc)2:pyridine (1:4) is an efficient catalyst system for the oxidation of alcohols with molecular oxygen. A mechanistic study of this reaction reveals that pyridine promotes the aerobic oxidation of palladium(0) but inhibits the oxidation of alcohol by palladium(II). Kinetic results reveal that turnover-limiting substrate oxidation consists of (i) formation of a palladium(II)−alkoxide, (ii) pyridine dissociation, and (iii) β-hydride elimination. These results provide a framework for the design and/or screening of more effective aerobic oxidation catalysts.

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