Abstract
The catalyst system prepared in situ from iron(III) salts, tris(2-pyridylmethyl) amine and a base readily catalyses the intradiol dioxygenation of pyrocatechol in methanol, to primarily afford the half-methyl ester of muconic acid. Dimethyl adipate is obtained by the subsequent, onestep catalytic hydrogenation/esterification, thus providing a green route to this important
... read more