Palladium(II)-Catalysed Oxidation of Alkenes

This review provides a summary of recent developments in the palladium(II)-catalysed oxidation of alkenes, focusing largely on reactions which lead to the formation of new carbon-oxygen or carbon-nitrogen bonds. Three classes of reaction are covered: i) oxidations proceeding via allylic C-H bond cleavage and formation of a p-allyl complex; ii) Wacker-type oxidations proceeding via nucleopalladation followed by beta-hydride elimination; and iii) 1,2-difunctionalisation of alkenes proceeding via nucleopalladation followed by functionalisation of the resulting sigma-alkylpalladium(II) intermediate. The mechanisms are discussed alongside the scope and limitations of each reaction.