Efficient and practical approach to esters from acids/ 2-oxoacids/ 2-oxoaldehydes &/ 2-oxoesters

Abstract An efficient, mild, cost effective and practical method is presented for generation of esters (RCO 2 R′) from acids (RCO 2 H)/ 2-oxoacids (RCOCO 2 H)/ 2-oxoaldehydes (RCOCHO)/ 2-oxoesters (RCOCO 2 R″) and alcohols by using oxone as catalyst. In addition to deciphering the scope of our process, we propose a mechanism for esterification through a common intermediate IV. Reaction with 2-oxoacids and 2-oxoaldehydes proceed with initial CO–C cleavage followed by oxone mediated esterification with alcohols. In addition, reaction with 2-oxoesters proceeds through CO–CO bond cleavage and trans -esterification.