A facile conversion of alcohols to esters mediated by potassium ferrate

Abstract

Potassium ferrate in the presence of copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate can convert 1-phenyl ethanol, 4-chloro-1-phenyl ethanol and 2-phenyl ethanol into ester products with good or excellent yields.The reactions have been carried out in n-hexane at room temprature.The effect of other metal salts, as activators, have been also examined instead of copper sulfate.