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Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile
Published on: October 30, 2018
Serendipity-Driven Telescoped Synthesis of 2-Aryl Glycidic Esters from Aldehydes
Vincenzo Battaglia1, Isaac G Sonsona1, Sara Meninno1
1Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia "A. Zambelli", Università di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy.
Abstract:
A first general and practical method for the synthesis of valuable 2-(hetero)aryl glycidic ethyl esters has been developed using commercially available reagents and a catalyst. A telescoped three-step seven-reaction process, based on a Knoevenagel/nitro-Michael/hydroxylation/double elimination/epoxidation/esterification sequence, provides the epoxides in up to 73% overall yield. This one-pot protocol features (i) aldehydes as versatile feedstocks, among the reagents used in the process; (ii) all steps proceeding at room temperature in benign solvents; and (iii) scalability of the reaction up to 5 mmol. The epoxides are elaborated to obtain new attractive β-amino α-hydroxy esters, bearing a quaternary stereocenter, including tryptamine- and morpholine-based esters.
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