Electrochemical oxidative cleavage of C(OH)–C bonds for sustainable synthesis of esters

Abstract

The direct oxidative esterification of alcohols represents a transformative method in synthetic chemistry, offering facile access to valuable ester compounds. In this work, we present an electrochemical strategy for the oxidative cleavage of C(OH)–C bonds in alcohols, enabling efficient conversion to aromatic esters with moderate to excellent yields. Mechanistic investigations support a radical-mediated C–C bond cleavage pathway. This transition metal catalyst- and chemical oxidant-free approach proceeds under mild conditions via anodic oxidation, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional oxidative esterification strategies.