Ruthenium/NHC-catalyzed tandem benzylic oxidation/oxidative esterification of benzylic alcohols with phenols

An efficient methodology to access benzoate derivatives via tandem benzylic oxidation/oxidative esterification of benzylic alcohols with phenols catalyzed by ruthenium/NHC was developed. This operationally simple one-pot process uses O2 as the clean oxidant, producing esters in good to excellent yields.

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► Ruthenium/NHC catalyzes oxidative esterification of benzylic alcohols with phenols.
► O2 is the clean oxidant in this one-pot process.
► It provides benzoate derivatives in good to excellent yields.