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Updated: Jul 12, 2025

Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile
Published on: October 30, 2018
Direct transformation of benzyl esters into esters, amides, and anhydrides using catalytic ferric(III) chloride under
Van Hieu Tran1, Truong Giang Luu1, Anh Thu Nguyen1
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, 54907, Republic of Korea. hkkim717@jbnu.ac.kr.
Abstract:
A facile one-pot transformation of benzyl esters into esters, amides, and anhydrides is described. α,α-Dichlorodiphenylmethane and FeCl3 were employed as the chlorinating agent and catalyst respectively to convert benzyl esters into acid chloride intermediates, which directly reacted with alcohols, amines, and carboxylic acids. Various esters, amides, and anhydrides were readily obtained with high yields under mild conditions. This method is promising for the practical synthesis of esters, amides, and anhydrides from benzyl esters.
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