Catalytic Cyclocarbonylation in Compressed Carbon Dioxide: Pressure Influence of Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide

Among the current interests in organic synthesis are those reactions performing multiple C-C bond formation, in special when they undergo under catalytic conditions. Due to its properties, there is a growing interest on the use of compressed fluids (CF) as solvent media in catalytic processes. In this context, we present herein studies that aim to the development of a cleaner technology for the preparation of cyclopentane derivatives by using the single step catalytic carbonylative cycloaddition, developed in our laboratory, using CO2-expanded solvents instead of conventional liquid solvent media. In particular we have studied the effect of total pressure and carbon monoxide partial pressure over the yield of the reaction. This is a very efficient reaction, because at least three C-C bonds are achieved in a single operation in order to generate a cyclopentane derivate. The cyclopentane skeleton is present in numerous natural products, many of them bioactive.