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Updated: May 31, 2025

Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile
Published on: October 30, 2018
Hydrogen Bond-Mediated Transition Metal-Free Alcoholysis of Primary Amides to Access Esters
Yingguo Ban1,2, Enhua Wang3, Kuan Ren1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, PR China.
Abstract:
An efficient hydrogen bond-mediated alcoholysis of primary amides was disclosed using diethyl phosphonate (DEP) as a catalyst. In this process, a wide range of primary amides and alcohols were tested and smoothly transformed to corresponding esters in moderate to good yields. This novel strategy features transition metal-free, broad substrate scope and a hydrogen bond-mediated one-pot pathway. In addition, the reaction showed a highly chemoselective o/alcoholic o-acylation of mercapto/phenolic alcohols.
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