PREPARATION OF CARBOXYLIC ESTERS FROM ALKANES AND FORMATES

Dehydroesterification of iso and cycloalkanes has been carried out wit h methyl formate and H2SO4 at atmospheric pressure slightly above room temperature. The yields range from 32 to 70%. The reaction takes plac e at tertiary carbon; no fragmentation of the hydrocarbon skeleton is observed. The reaction fails with normal alkanes. The effect of reacti on conditions is discussed. A mechanism involving an hydride transfer for the activation of the alkane is given. The reaction is extended to other alkyl formates. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.