Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonylation—A Reaction Come of Age

The palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of aryl and vinyl halides was first described more than 30 years ago by Richard Heck. However, limitations in the conditions originally described have meant that this reaction has achieved less prominence than the coupling reaction that also bears his name. Nevertheless, the attractiveness of this chemistry for forming carbonyl derivatives has led many researchers over the intervening years to attempt to increase the scope of the reaction beyond the originally described bromide, iodide, and triflate substrates, with conditions suited to large-scale application (particularly low pressure). To a large degree, this has now been achieved. This review describes the progress…