Thiourea-Mediated Esterification by Redox Dehydration
Abstract
The synthesis of carboxylic esters represents a pivotal transformation in organic chemistry owing to their widespread utility in pharmaceuticals, natural products, materials science, and fine chemicals. Traditionally, esterification by redox dehydration required a P III /P V process using P III as the oxygen acceptor. Here we report a novel method of redox dehydration employing thiourea as an [O] acceptor through desulfurization. Using this rapid and operationally simple protocol, a variety of esters and lactones can be easily synthesized from readily available substrates in good to excellent yields.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Chemical Synthesis and Analysis
Sulfur-Based Synthesis Techniques
Oxidative Organic Chemistry Reactions
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Organic Letters
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1778–1783
- Publication date
- 27 January 2026
- Language
- EN