Esterification of carboxylic acids using carbon disulfide (CS₂) as a coupling agent

Area of Science:

• Organic Chemistry
• Synthetic Chemistry

Background:

• Esterification is a fundamental organic transformation.
• Existing methods often require harsh conditions or expensive reagents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, efficient, and mild method for esterification.
• To utilize carbon disulfide as a coupling agent for ester synthesis.

Main Methods:

• Reaction of carboxylic acids with alcohols using carbon disulfide as a coupling agent.
• Exploration of a wide range of carboxylic acid substrates.

Main Results:

• Successful esterification of various aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids.
• High to quantitative yields achieved under mild conditions.
• Demonstrated tolerance for dicarboxylic acids, protected amino acids, and fatty acids.

Conclusions:

• The developed method is efficient, versatile, and environmentally benign.
• Key advantages include low alcohol loading, metal- and acid-free conditions, and straightforward work-up.