Efficient and highly aldehyde selective Wacker oxidation.

A method for efficient and aldehyde-selective Wacker oxidation of aryl-substituted olefins using PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2), 1,4-benzoquinone, and t-BuOH in air is described. Up to a 96% yield of aldehyde can be obtained, and up to 99% selectivity can be achieved with styrene-related substrates.