Carbonylation of Bromo(Bromomethyl)Benzenes to Alkyl Carboalkoxyphenylacetates Catalyzed by Cobalt Carbonyl

A synthetic method for bis-carbonylation of bromo(bromomethyl)benzenes was described. Alkyl carboalkoxyphenylacetates were easily prepared by the carbonylation of benzylic and arylic bromide moieties in bromo(bromomethyl)benzenes with alcohols in the presence of $K_2CO_3,\;CH_3I$, and a catalytic amount of cobalt carbonyl under the atmospheric pressure of carbon monoxide at room temperature in good to excellent yields. The base played a decisive role in the selectivity of product and $K_2CO_3$ was the best one among bases used.