Using sulfuric acid as a catalyst, several esters were synthesized using the CEM Explorer Microwave Synthesizer. These same esters were then synthesized using imidazole as a promotion agent. Both the CEM Explorer Synthesizer and unmodified domestic microwaves were used for these syntheses and the yields were compared. Using imidazole as promotion agent, primary, secondary, and phenolic alcohol compounds can be esterified with aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acid anhydrides. Heating a ternary mixture of alcohol, anhydride and imidazole in an unmodified microwave oven produced esters in low to high yields, depending on the steric bulk of the alcohol.

Microwave synthesis of novel esters using sulfuric acid and imidazole as catalysts

2019 Spring National Meeting

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