Transformation of Methyl Ketones to Esters via Carbon-Carbon Bond Cleavage Using Molecular Iodine

In this paper, we have introduced a new procedure for oxidative esterification of methyl ketones. In this approach, we have used I2/DBU system to produce esters via carbon-carbon bond cleavage reaction. In this method, different methyl ketones reacted with primary and secondary alcohols as the coupling partners giving the products good to high yields. This reaction was performed at room temperature within short reaction times. We have also detected that iodoform was produced as a side product during the course of the reaction. This observation shows that the first step in the reaction mechanism involves the alpha iodination of methyl ketones.