Conversion of Primary Alcohols and Aldehydes into Methyl Esters by Ruthenium-Catalysed Hydrogen Transfer Reactions

Nathan A. Owston, Tracy D. Nixon, Alexandra J. Parker, Michael K. Whittlesey, Jonathan M. J. Williams*

*Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK, Email: j.m.j.williamsbath.ac.uk

N. A. Owston, T. D. Nixon, A. J. Parker, M. K. Whittlesey, J. M. J. Williams, Synthesis, 2009, 1459-1462.

DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1088026

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Abstract

Alcohols and aldehydes can be oxidized to the corresponding methyl esters by reaction with methanol in the presence of crotononitrile as a hydrogen acceptor using a catalyst combination of Ru(PPh₃)₃(CO)H₂ with xantphos.

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Key Words

Crotononitrile, Oxidative Esterification, Oxidation of Alcohols, Methyl Esters, Ruthenium, Catalysis, Hydrogen Transfer

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ID: J66-Y2009-1490