Efficient and catalyst-free condensation of acid chlorides and alcohols using continuous flow

Abstract

An efficient, catalyst-free continuous flow procedure for the condensation of acid chlorides and alcohols was developed. Different esters could be obtained using this protocol with excellent conversions starting from the corresponding acid chlorides and alcohols in very short reaction times (5–7 min). The reaction was performed solventless for liquid reagents but requires a solvent for solid reagents in order to prevent clogging of the microreactor. Since no catalyst is needed, the purification of the reaction mixture is very straightforward. Scale-up of the reaction to a microreactor with an internal volume of 13.8 ml makes it possible to produce 2.2 g min⁻¹ of ester with an isolated yield of 98% and recuperation of the formed HCl.