Transition metal-free oxidative esterification of benzylic alcohols in aqueous medium

Abstract

Oxidative esterification of benzylic alcohols with a catalytic amount of HBr-H₂O₂ in aqueous medium under mild conditions is reported with a wide range of substrate scope for both benzylic and aliphatic alcohols. The conditions are also suitable for selective mono-esterification of ethylene glycol and glycerol. With catalytic amounts of HBr (20 mol%) and H₂O₂, the generation of reactive intermediate species BrOH has been ascertained by UV-visible spectra.