PURPOSE: To efficiently produce an arylacetic acid derivative useful for a synthetic intermediate, etc., for a drug, a perfume, an aromatic agent, etc., in a high yield by carbonylating a specific compound with a water-soluble metallic complex.
CONSTITUTION: A compound represented by formula I [Ar is a (substituted) phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl or phenanthrenyl; R1 is H, a halogen, a CO-1-8C alkyl, O-CO-1-8C alkyl, a 1-8C alkyl, phenyl or the like; the halogen is I, Br or Cl] is carbonylated by using a water-soluble metallic complex which is a compound containing a group VIII transition metal, especially palladium, rhodium, cobalt, nickel or iron as the central atom and containing a hydrophilic ligand such as a phosphinoalkanol as a two-phase catalyst system of water and an aliphatic hydrocarbon, etc., at a temp. of 50-90°C under a CO pressure of 1-70 bars to afford an arylacetic acid derivative represented by formula II (R2 is H, a 1-8C alkyl or phenyl).
MATSUTEIASU BERAA
