Tetrahedron Letters

Esterification of carboxylic acids with boron trichloride

CA Dyke, TA Bryson

Index: Dyke, Christopher A.; Bryson, Thomas A. Tetrahedron Letters, 2001 , vol. 42, # 24 p. 3959 - 3961

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Citation Number: 12

Abstract

Treatment of carboxylic acids with boron trichloride followed by addition of alcohol provides the carboxylic ester. This esterification, following BCl3 ether or ester O C cleavage reaction conditions, proceeds cleanly in good yields with most substrates. Cleavage of benzyl esters with boron trichloride then treating with methanol affords the methyl ester.