Palladium(II)-catalyzed Selective Oxidation of α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes to α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids with Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract Palladium(II)-catalyzed chemoselective oxidation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with hydrogen peroxide to give α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids was performed. Cinnamaldehyde was effectively catalyzed by palladium(II) trifluoroacetate to generate cinnamic acid in 92% yield under organic solvent-free conditions. The reaction appears to be applicable to various α,β-unsaturated aldehydes.