Copper-Catalyzed Alkoxycarbonylation of Alkanes with Alcohols

Esters are important chemicals widely used in various areas, and alkoxycarbonylation represents one of the most powerful tools for their synthesis. In this communication, a new copper-catalyzed carbonylative procedure for the synthesis of aliphatic esters from cycloalkanes and alcohols was developed. Through direct activation of the C-sp3-H bond of alkanes and with alcohols as the nucleophiles, the desired esters were prepared in moderate-to-good yields. Paraformaldehyde could also be applied for insitu alcohol generation by radical trapping, and moderate yields of the corresponding esters could be produced. Notably, this is the first report on copper-catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation of alkanes.