Direct hydroesterification of ethylene with methyl formate with the new system RuCl₃–NR₄I–NR₃: an example of catalytic activation of the CH bond of methyl formate?

Abstract

Upon using the simple RuCl3–NR4I–NR3 catalytic combination and dimethylformamide as solvent, an exceptionally reactive system is obtained for direct hydroesterification of ethylene with methyl formate (turnover frequency up to 2000 h–1) in the absence of carbon monoxide.