Carbonylation

Carbonylation reactions constitute potent methodologies for the synthesis of all kinds of carbonyl containing compounds. Such transformations, which require the presence of additional oxidants, are usually cataloged as so‐called “oxidative carbonylations”. This chapter examines the catalytic systems that have been used for reductive and oxidative carbonylation. In addition, it provides a detailed case study of the rapid formation of essentially pure methyl methacrylate (MMA) from the methoxycarbonylation of propyne. The chapter also gives a case study that describes the development of a highly efficient class of homogeneous catalysts for the carbonylation of alkynes, which makes possible an economically competitive and environmentally benign process for MMA production. The chapter further reviews the synthesis of ethylene/CO copolymer with discussion of the reaction mechanisms. Finally, it also reviews the copolymerization of unfunctionalized and functionalized monosubstituted‐ethenes as well as imines