A PALLADIUM-CATALYZED SYNTHESIS OF XYLYL ACETATES AND XYLYLENE DIACETATES

Xylenes and xylyl acetates are catalytically oxidized at moderate temperatures with a homogeneous palladiumstannous acetate catalyst and air (1 atm) in acetic acid. p-Xylene gives p-xylyl acetate, p-xylylene diacetate, and p-methylbenzylidene diacetate. The α,α′-/α,α-diacetate ratio is 31:1. The other xylenes give similar product mixtures. The selectivity of the diacetoxylation reaction is maintained when the pure xylyl acetates are oxidized under the same conditions. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.