Copper(II)-Catalyzed Oxidative Esterification of Substituted p-Cresols under Ligand- and Additive-Free Conditions

Abstract

Cu(OAc) 2 (10 mol%) ambient air MeCN, 75 °C + R 1 , R 2 = alkyl or alkoxy R 3 = aryl or alkyl 36-86% 17 examplesAbstract A facile, atom-economical, and efficient Cu(OAc) 2 -catalyzed oxidative esterification of substituted p-cresols was developed with ambient air as the terminal oxidant. This ligand-and additive-free esterification protocol allows an environmentally benign and reagent-economical access to benzyl esters.