Catalytic Oxidative Esterification of Aldehydes and Alcohols Using KI–TBHP

Abstract

A simple and mild procedure for the facile oxidative esterification of aldehydes and alcohols using potassium iodide (KI) in combinzation with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an external oxidant is described. Oxidative esterification is induced by iodine generated in situ by the chemical oxidation of KI with TBHP.

Keywords:

• Alcohol
• aldehydes
• esterification
• oxidation
• potassium iodide

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

M. V. and C. U. M. thank the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR), India, respectively, for their fellowships.

Notes

^a Conversion and selectivity by ¹H NMR.

^b Reaction carried out at 65°C.

^a Reaction conditions: aldehyde (1.0 mmol), KI (0.05 mmol), TBHP (1.5 mmol), and methanol (5 mL) at 65°C.

^b Isolated yield.

^c Based on GC.

^a Reaction conditions: aldehyde (1.0 mmol), KI (0.2 mmol), TBHP (3.0 mmol), and methanol (5 mL) at 65°C, 24 h.

^b Based on ¹H NMR.