NHC Catalyzed Oxidations of Aldehydes to Esters: Chemoselective Acylation of Alcohols in Presence of Amines

Abstract

Not just one but two carbenes of the same structure act cooperatively in oxidative acylations of alcohols with aldehydes by using a readily available cheap organic oxidant. Alcohols are selectively acylated in the presence of amines by cooperative carbene catalysis. Quantum chemical calculations support the suggested mechanism.