N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed oxidation of unactivated aldehydes to esters

Brooks E. Maki*, Karl A. Scheldt

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

201 Scopus citations

Abstract

(Chemical Equation Presented) N-Heterocyclic carbenes catalyze the oxidation of unactivated aldehydes to esters with manganese(IV) oxide in excellent yield. The reaction proceeds through a transient activated alcohol, which when generated in situ allows for the selective oxidation of the aldehyde under mild conditions. These conditions successfully oxidize potentially epimerizable aldehydes and alcohols while preserving stereochemical integrity. A variety of ester derivatives can be synthesized with variation of the acylated alcohol as well as the unactivated aldehyde.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4331-4334
Number of pages4
JournalOrganic Letters
Volume10
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Funding

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

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