Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile
Published on: October 30, 2018
Polymer-supported o-benzyl and o-allylisoureas: convenient preparation and use in ester synthesis from carboxylic
Stefano Crosignani1, Peter D White, Rene Steinauer
1Combinatorial Centre of Excellence, Chemistry Department, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
[reaction: see text] Polymer-supported O-methyl, O-benzyl, and O-allyl-isoureas were prepared by copper(II)-catalyzed reaction of polymer-supported carbodiimide with the corresponding alcohols. These polymer-supported reagents were successfully employed to convert a series of carboxylic acids to methyl, benzyl, or allyl esters, in good yields. The products were obtained with high purity (>95% by NMR) after a simple resin filtration-solvent evaporation sequence.
Related Concept Videos
Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Overview
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Saponification
The reaction requires a base in stoichiometric amounts, which participates in the reaction and is not regenerated later. So, the base acts as a...
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Mechanism
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis

