Solvent‐free, l‐Leucine‐Catalyzed Direct Dehydrative Esterification of Carboxylic Acids with Alcohols: Direct Synthesis of 3‐Alkoxy 1(3 H)‐isobenzofuranone

L-leucine catalyzed mild and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of open chain as well as cyclic esters. A wide range of alcohols viz primary, secondary and tertiary with aliphatic and aromatic side chain were succesfully tolerated. In case of 2-carboxybenzaldehydes reaction with different alcohols, 3-alkoxy 1(3H)-isobenzofuranone were obtained in good yields. Alcohols from natural origin has also been reacted with varius acids successfully to get the corresponding esters. The reaction proceed under neat condition and there is no need of any acid, base or removal of water during the reaction.