Recent Advances on Ester Synthesis via Transition-Metal Catalyzed C–H Functionalization

Esters are valuable commodity chemicals widely found in agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. They are also important synthetic building blocks for chemical transformation. Recent advances of ester synthesis via transition-metal-catalyzed C–H activation have provided highly efficient and atom-economical alternatives to the traditional methods. Herein, we summarize recent advances on ester synthesis via transition-metal-catalyzed C–H activation. On the basis of the modes of reactivity and the types of C–H bonds, transition-metal-catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation of C–H bonds with various esterification reagents will be discussed in sections 2 and 3. Finally, hydroesterification/hydroacylation of C–C or C–O double bonds via formate C–H activation will be discussed in sections 4 and 5.