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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile
Published on: October 30, 2018
Thiourea-Mediated Esterification by Redox Dehydration
Hui Liu1, Longfei Han1, Weijie Jiao2
1Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Ecology and Environment, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, Henan 450011, P. R. China.
Abstract:
The synthesis of carboxylic esters represents a pivotal transformation in organic chemistry owing to their widespread utility in pharmaceuticals, natural products, materials science, and fine chemicals. Traditionally, esterification by redox dehydration required a PIII/PV process using PIII as the oxygen acceptor. Here we report a novel method of redox dehydration employing thiourea as an [O] acceptor through desulfurization. Using this rapid and operationally simple protocol, a variety of esters and lactones can be easily synthesized from readily available substrates in good to excellent yields.
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