Green and Efficient Esterification Method Using Dried Dowex H⁺/NaI Approach

The usefulness of dried Dowex H⁺ cation-exchange resin with or without sodium iodide (NaI) as a catalyst system for different kinds of esterifications using carboxylic acids and alcohols as starting materials has been systematically investigated. The Dowex H⁺/NaI approach is very effective, generally high yielding, energy-efficient, and nontoxic, and the Dowex H⁺ resin is reusable. Since the whole procedure from start to product isolation is also very simple, these features make the method environmentally friendly. The method is regioselective, and its potential for separation of valuable carboxylic acids like resin acids from mixtures containing other kinds of carboxylic acids has been demonstrated. Examples for green and straightforward esterification of highly important natural amino acids are also presented.