Access to α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids through water-soluble palladium catalyzed hydroxycarbonylation of alkynes using water as the solvent

A sulfoxantphos modified palladium-catalyzed synthesis of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids from alkynes with CO and H2O was described. The atom-economic hydroxycarbonylation of various symmetrical and unsymmetrical alkynes can be achieved with chemo-, stereo-, and regioselectivity, affording the corresponding carboxylic acids in good to excellent yields. Using water as the reaction solvent, the water-soluble palladium catalyst was easily separated from the product and could be reused for 5 cycles.