| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkenoic acid derivatives by reaction of an aliphatic conjugated diene with carbon monoxide and a hydroxyl group-containing compound. The reaction is carried out in a liquid reaction medium of controlled polarity in the presence of a catalyst system containing a palladium compound, a multidentate phosphine ligand, and optionally a protonic acid. By controlling the polarity of the reaction medium to a calculated dielectric constant epsilon calc of below a value of 8, higher reaction rates are achieved. |