Mechanistic Insights into Aerobic Oxidative Methyl Esterification of Primary Alcohols with Heterogeneous PdBiTe Catalysts

Abstract

Aerobic oxidative methyl esterification of primary alcohols is an important chemical transformation that converts a nucleophile (alcohol) into a versatile electrophile (methyl ester). We recently discovered a heterogeneous PdBiTe/C catalyst that exhibits the highest activity yet reported for this transformation. Bi and Te serve as synergistic promoters that enhance both the rate and yield of the reactions relative to reactions employing Pd alone or Pd in combination with Bi or with Te as the sole promoter. Here, we report a mechanistic study of the oxidative methyl esterification of benzyl alcohol and 1-octanol to provide insights into the overall multistep transformation as well as the role of the Bi and Te in the reaction. The catalytic rates of the oxidative esterification of benzyl alcohol and octanol with Pd, PdBi, PdTe, and PdBiTe catalysts exhibit a saturation dependence on [alcohol] and [K2CO3] and a first-order dependence on pO2. Hammett studies of benzyl alcohol oxidation reveal opposing electro...