Rhodium-catalysed direct formylmethylation using vinylene carbonate and sequential dehydrogenative esterification.

A rhodium-catalysed direct formylmethylation adopting vinylene carbonate as an ethynol equivalent is reported. The developed catalytic system is further utilised for the oxidant-free production of esters with the liberation of hydrogen gas. Some control experiments are conducted to elucidate the reaction mechanism.