In the Steglich esterification, carboxylic acids and alcohols are coupled using a carbodiimide reagent and a nitrogen base. While the reaction is widely used in academics and industry, studies of the rate and mechanism of the reaction are limited. Previous synthetic studies in our group demonstrated the use of acetonitrile as a greener solvent system for the reaction but also illuminated differences in scope and rate compared to the reaction in chlorinated solvents. This work aims to utilize kinetic <sup>1</sup>H and <sup>19</sup>F NMR experiments to measure reaction rates and to probe the mechanistic pathway of the esterification in both solvent systems and with various acid and alcohol components.

Kinetic NMR investigation of the Steglich esterification

2019 Fall National Meeting

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