Tetrahedron Letters

Transition metal free oxidative esterification of alcohols with toluene

L Liu, L Yun, Z Wang, X Fu, C Yan

Index: Liu, Lianghui; Yun, Lin; Wang, Zikuan; Fu, Xuefeng; Yan, Chun-Hua Tetrahedron Letters, 2013 , vol. 54, # 39 p. 5383 - 5386

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Citation Number: 21

Abstract

Abstract Using Bu 4 NI as the catalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant, direct esterification of alcohols with toluene derivatives was achieved. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the alcohols are sequentially oxidized to aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and then to benzyl esters. Bu 4 N+ functions as a phasetransfer reagent and iodide catalyzes the reaction.