This research was supported by Siena College and the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity. We thank Dr. Thomas Hughes and Dr. Kristopher Kolonko for helpful conversations, Ms. Allycia Barbera for early stage work on this methodology, and the Siena College Stewart&#39;s Advanced Instrumentation and Technology (SAInT) Center for instrumentation resources.

Caution: Consult Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) prior to the use of the chemicals in this procedure. Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including splash goggles, lab coat, and nitrile or butyl gloves as many of the reagents and solvents are corrosive or flammable. Carry out all reactions in a fume hood. It is unnecessary to dry glassware or to use a nitrogen atmosphere for this protocol.
1. Carbodiimide Coupling Reaction for Primary Alcohols
<ol>
	<li>In a 50 mL round bottom flas...

<ol>
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[New synthetic method (25)].</a> Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English. 17 (8), 569-583 (1978).</li><li>Neises, B., Steglich, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Simple+Method+for+the+Esterification+of+Carboxylic+Acids.">Simple Method for the Esterification of Carboxylic Acids.</a> Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English. 17 (7), 522-524 (1978).</li><li>Tsvetkova, B., Tencheva, J., Peikov, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Esterification+of+7-theophyllineacetic+acid+with+diethylene+glycol+monomethyl+ether.">Esterification of 7-theophyllineacetic acid with diethylene glycol monomethyl ether.</a> Acta pharmaceutica. 56 (2), 251-257 (2006).</li><li>Tsakos, M., Schaffert, E. S., Clement, L. L., Villadsen, N. L., Poulsen, T. 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F., Woods, D., Lewis, M., Gan, Q., Nancarrow, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Importance+of+Acetonitrile+in+the+Pharmaceutical+Industry+and+Opportunities+for+its+Recovery+from+Waste.">The Importance of Acetonitrile in the Pharmaceutical Industry and Opportunities for its Recovery from Waste.</a> Organic Process Research &amp; Development. 16 (4), 612-624 (2012).</li><li>Jad, Y. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Peptide+synthesis+beyond+DMF:+THF+and+ACN+as+excellent+and+friendlier+alternatives.">Peptide synthesis beyond DMF: THF and ACN as excellent and friendlier alternatives.</a> Organic &amp; Biomolecular Chemistry. 13 (8), 2393-2398 (2015).</li><li>Williams, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+method+for+the+profiling+of+the+endocannabinoid+metabolome+by+LC-atmospheric+pressure+chemical+ionization-MS.">Quantitative method for the profiling of the endocannabinoid metabolome by LC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-MS.</a> Analytical Chemistry. 79 (15), 5582-5593 (2007).</li><li>Benmansour, F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Discovery+of+novel+dengue+virus+NS5+methyltransferase+non-nucleoside+inhibitors+by+fragment-based+drug+design.">Discovery of novel dengue virus NS5 methyltransferase non-nucleoside inhibitors by fragment-based drug design.</a> European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 125, 865-880 (2017).</li><li>Maier, W., Corrie, J. E. T., Papageorgiou, G., Laube, B., Grewer, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparative+analysis+of+inhibitory+effects+of+caged+ligands+for+the+NMDA+receptor.">Comparative analysis of inhibitory effects of caged ligands for the NMDA receptor.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 142 (1), 1-9 (2005).</li><li>Schwartz, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Water+soluble+azido+polyisocyanopeptides+as+functional+&#946;-sheet+mimics.">Water soluble azido polyisocyanopeptides as functional &#946;-sheet mimics.</a> Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry. 47 (16), 4150-4164 (2009).</li><li>Hangauer, M. J., Bertozzi, C. 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Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Co-Drug+Strategy+for+Promoting+Skin+Targeting+and+Minimizing+the+Transdermal+Diffusion+of+Hydroquinone+and+Tranexamic+Acid.">Co-Drug Strategy for Promoting Skin Targeting and Minimizing the Transdermal Diffusion of Hydroquinone and Tranexamic Acid.</a> Current Medicinal Chemistry. 20 (32), 4080-4092 (2013).</li><li>Moretto, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Rigid+Helical+Peptide+Axle+for+a+[2]Rotaxane+Molecular+Machine.">A Rigid Helical Peptide Axle for a [2]Rotaxane Molecular Machine.</a> Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 48 (47), 8986-8989 (2009).</li><li>Hanessian, S., McNaughton-Smith, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+versatile+synthesis+of+a+&#946;-turn+peptidomimetic+scaffold:+An+approach+towards+a+designed+model+antagonist+of+the+tachykinin+NK-2+receptor.">A versatile synthesis of a &#946;-turn peptidomimetic scaffold: An approach towards a designed model antagonist of the tachykinin NK-2 receptor.</a> Bioorganic &amp; Medicinal Chemistry Letters. 6 (13), 1567-1572 (1996).</li><li>Lutjen, A. B., Quirk, M. A., Barbera, A. M., Kolonko, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synthesis+of+(E)-cinnamyl+ester+derivatives+via+a+greener+Steglich+esterification+(In+Press).">Synthesis of (E)-cinnamyl ester derivatives via a greener Steglich esterification (In Press).</a> Bioorganic &amp; Medicinal Chemistry. , (2018).</li><li>Wang, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Steglich+Esterification.">Steglich Esterification.</a> Comprehensive Organic Name Reactions and Reagents. , (2010).</li><li>Padias, A. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Making the Connections: A How-To Guide for Organic Chemistry Lab Techniques. , (2011).</li><li>Zubrick, J. 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The authors have nothing to disclose.

The methodology presented here was developed to minimize the hazards from solvent associated with a traditional Steglich esterification by using a greener solvent system and by reducing the need for column chromatography8,9. Comparable reaction yields and rates can be achieved with the use of acetonitrile in place of dry chlorinated solvents or DMF22.
Several key steps enable the efficient purification of produc...

Ester compounds are widely used for the applications such as flavor compounds, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and materials. Commonly, the use of carbodiimide coupling reagents is used to facilitate an ester formation from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol1. For example, in the Steglich esterification, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) is reacted with a carboxylic acid in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) to form an activated acid derivative, generally in a chlorinated solvent system or dimethylformamide (DMF)2,3,4. The activated acid derivative then undergoes a nucleophilic acyl substitution with an alcohol to form the ester product, which is usually purified via chromatography. The Steglich esterification enables mild coupling of large, complex carboxylic acids and alcohols, including sterically hindered secondary and tertiary alcohols2,5,6. The goal of this work is to modify the standard Steglich esterification protocol to provide a greener synthetic option for this common esterification reaction.
One important aspect in the design of new synthetic methodology is to seek to minimize the use and formation of hazardous substances. The Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry7 can be used to provide a guideline for creating safer syntheses. Some of these include the prevention of waste generation (Principle 1) and the use of safer solvents (Principle 5). In particular, solvents account for 80-90% of the non-aqueous mass of the materials in pharmaceutical manufacturing8. Thus, modifying a protocol to use a less hazardous solvent can make a large impact on the greenness of an organic reaction.
Steglich esterification reactions often use anhydrous chlorinated solvent systems or DMF; however, these solvents are of concern for both the environment and human health. Dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) and chloroform (CHCl3) are probable human carcinogens, and DMF has reproductive toxicity concerns9. In addition, CH2Cl2 is ozone depleting10. Thus, a less hazardous solvent for the Steglich esterification would be of great utility. While there are not yet green replacements for polar aprotic solvents, acetonitrile is recommended as a greener replacement for CH2Cl2, CHCl3, and DMF9. Acetonitrile is currently produced as a byproduct in acrylonitrile manufacturing; however, a green synthesis of acetonitrile from biomass on an academic scale has been reported11, and potential options for the reuse and recovery from waste streams are being investigated12. Acetonitrile has previously been used as a greener solvent alternative for carbodiimide coupling reactions in solid-phase peptide synthesis to form amide linkages13. The use of acetonitrile as a solvent system for Steglich esterifications has been demonstrated14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21; however, these methods have not focused on the green aspect of the solvent and also employ additional purification via column chromatography.
Reducing the need for column chromatography as a purification step also minimizes hazardous solvent waste8. In addition to using a less hazardous reaction solvent, the methodology enables the isolation of highly pure product without the need for chromatography. The traditionally used dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) coupling reagent is substituted with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). The basic amine functional group on this reagent enables the reaction byproducts and any residual reagents to be removed via acidic and basic wash steps.
The protocol presented herein can be used with a variety of acid and alcohol partners (Figure 1). It was used to synthesize a small library of cinnamyl ester derivatives using primary, secondary, benzyl, and allyl alcohols and phenols22. Additionally, the rate of the esterification reaction in acetonitrile is comparable to that in the chlorinated and DMF solvent systems, without a need to dry or distill the acetonitrile prior to the reaction22. Esters synthesized from tertiary alcohols have not been isolated, which is currently a limitation of the methodology compared to the traditional Steglich esterification in chlorinated solvent23. In addition, other acid-labile groups could be affected by the acid wash steps, potentially necessitating column chromatography for purification after acetonitrile removal. Despite these limitations, the reaction is a facile and general method for the synthesis of esters in high yields using a range of both alcohol and carboxylic acid components. The use of a greener solvent system and high purity without the need for chromatography steps make this protocol an attractive alternative to a traditional Steglich esterification.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/58803/58803fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1. General reaction scheme. The general scheme for the reaction involves the coupling of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol, which is facilitated using a carbodiimide coupling reagent (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride, or EDC) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) in acetonitrile. To demonstrate the reaction breadth, esters were formed using various acids (1-5) with either a primary (6) or secondary (7) alcohol. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/58803/58803fig1large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>trans -cinnamic acid</td>
			<td>Acros Organics</td>
			<td>158571000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>butyric acid</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>B103500</td>
			<td>Caution: corrosive</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>hexanoic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>153745-100G</td>
			<td>Caution: corrosive</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>decanoic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>21409-5G</td>
			<td>Caution: corrosive</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>phenylacetic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P16621-5G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3-methoxybenzyl alcohol</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>M11006-25G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>diphenylmethanol</td>
			<td>Acros Organics</td>
			<td>105391000</td>
			<td>Benzhydrol</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>chloroform-d</td>
			<td>Acros Organics</td>
			<td>166260250</td>
			<td>99.8% with 1% v/v tetramethylsilane, Caution: toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>hexane</td>
			<td>BDH Chemicals</td>
			<td>BDH1129-4LP</td>
			<td>Caution: flammable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ethyl acetate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>650528</td>
			<td>Caution: flammable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>diethyl ether</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>E138-500</td>
			<td>Caution: flammable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>acetonitrile</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A21-1</td>
			<td>ACS Certified, &#62;99.5%, Caution: flammable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4-dimethylaminopyridine</td>
			<td>Acros Organics</td>
			<td>148270250</td>
			<td>Caution: toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>magnesium sulfate</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>M65-3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>hydrochloric acid, 1 M</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>S848-4</td>
			<td>Caution: corrosive</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sodium chloride</td>
			<td>BDH Chemicals</td>
			<td>BDH8014</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sodium bicarbonate</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>S25533B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride</td>
			<td>Chem-Impex</td>
			<td>00050</td>
			<td>Caution: skin and eye irritant</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>thin layer chromatography plates</td>
			<td>EMD Millipore</td>
			<td>1055540001</td>
			<td>aluminum backed sheets</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Note: All commercially available reagents and solvents were used as received without further purification.</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

synthesis of esters via a greener steglich esterification in acetonitrile

The Steglich esterification is a widely-used reaction for the synthesis of esters from carboxylic acids and alcohols. While efficient and mild, the reaction is commonly performed using chlorinated or amide solvent systems, which are hazardous to human health and the environment. Our methodology utilizes acetonitrile as a greener and less hazardous solvent system. This protocol exhibits rates and yields that are comparable to traditional solvent systems and employs an extraction and wash sequence that eliminates the need for the purification of the ester product via column chromatography. This general method can be used to couple a variety of carboxylic acids with 1&#176; and 2&#176; aliphatic alcohols, benzylic and allylic alcohols, and phenols to obtain pure esters in high yields. The goal of the protocol detailed here is to provide a greener alternative to a common esterification reaction, which could serve useful for ester synthesis in both academic and industrial applications.

Using the modified Steglich esterification in acetonitrile followed by an acid-base extraction workup, 3-methoxybenzyl cinnamate (8) was obtained as a light-yellow oil (205 mg, 90% yield) without the need for column chromatography. 1H and 13C NMR spectra are presented in Figure 2 to confirm the structure and to indicate purity.
Compounds 9-<str...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile at JoVE.com

Synthesis of Esters Via a Greener Steglich Esterification in Acetonitrile

A modified Steglich esterification reaction was used to synthesize a small library of ester derivatives with primary and secondary alcohols. The methodology uses a non-halogenated and greener solvent, acetonitrile, and enables product isolation in high yields without the need for chromatographic purification.

The Steglich esterification is a widely-used reaction for the synthesis of esters from carboxylic acids and alcohols. While efficient and mild, the ...

The overall goal of this experiment is to provide a greener methodology for a common esterification reaction, which could serve useful for estro-synthesis in academic and industrial applications. Our method can be used for efficient and mild synthesis of esters by coupling carboxylic acids with primary or secondary alcohols or phenols. The main advantage of this technique is that it eliminates the use of hazardous chlorinated or amide reaction solvents and it minimizes solvent waste during purification without sacrificing reaction rate or product purity.Demonstrating the procedure will be Andrew Lutjen and Mackenzie Quirk, undergraduate researchers from my laboratory. First, combine trans-Cinnamic acid, DMAP, and EDC in a 50-milliliter round-bottom flask. Add 15 milliliters of acetonitrile, and 98 microliters of 3-Methoxybenzyl alcohol to the mixture, along with a magnetic stir bar.Clamp the flask in a 40-degree Celsius water bath and stir the reaction. Monitor the reaction by TLC, using ethyl acetate and hexanes. Once the reaction is complete, remove the acetonitrile under reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to obtain a crude solid.To the residue, add 20 milliliters each of diethyl ether and one molar of hydrochloric acid. Swirl the flask to dissolve the residue into the solvent layers. Next, pour the solution into a separatory funnel.Rinse the evaporating flask with five milliliters of diethyl ether, and add the rinse to the separatory funnel. Gently shake the separatory funnel to extract the product into the ether layer, venting periodically. Allow the layers to separate, and then remove the aqueous layer by draining it out the bottom of the funnel into an Erlenmeyer flask.To the organic layer remaining in the separatory funnel, add 20 milliliters of one molar hydrochloric acid and gently shake the separatory flask, venting periodically. Allow the layers to separate and then remove the aqueous layer by draining it out from the bottom of the funnel into an Erlenmeyer flask. Repeat the washing procedure with saturated sodium bicarbonate and saturated sodium chloride.After completing the washing steps, transfer the organic layer from the separatory funnel into a clean Erlenmeyer flask. Dry the layer with magnesium sulfate. Then gravity filter the solution through filter paper into a masked evaporation flask.Following this, remove the diethyl ether solvent under reduced pressure, using a rotary evaporator. Analyze a sample of the product by proton and carbon NMR Spectroscopy in deuterated chloroform, and by mass spectrometry. In a 50-milliliter round-bottom flask, combine trans-cinnamic acid, DMAP, and EDC.Add 15 milliliters of acetonitrile and 157 milligrams of Diphenylmethanol to the mixture, along with a magnetic stir bar. Clamp the flask and stir the reaction at room temperature for 24 hours. Insert an air condenser into the flask neck to minimize solvent evaporation.Once the reaction is complete, follow the extraction workup and washing procedure as previously described. In a 50-milliliter round-bottom flask, combine decanoic acid, DMAP, and EDC. Add 15 milliliters of acetonitrile and 157 milligrams of Dithenylmethanol to the mixture, along with a magnetic stir bar.Clamp the flask and stir the reaction at room temperature for 24 hours. Insert an air condenser into the flask neck to minimize solvent evaporation. Once the reaction is complete, follow the extraction workup and washing procedure as previously described.Using the modified Steglich esterification reaction, 3-Methoxybenzyl cinnamate was obtained in 90%yield without the need for column chromatography, as confirmed by proton and carbon NMR Spectroscopy. Compounds nine to 17 were synthesized using a similar protocol, with yields of 77 to 90%All compounds were analyzed by NMR Spectroscopy and high resolution mass spectrometry, and found to be of similar purity to 3-Methoxybenzyl cinnamate by NMR analysis. Slight changes to the protocol for primary alcohols were made to obtain optimal yields and purity for compounds 12 to 17.Secondary alcohol reactions were run for longer to allow the reaction to go to completion. In the decanoic acid reactions, for ester compounds 12 and 17, using 1.2 equivalents of carboxylic acid to one equivalent of alcohol for both primary and secondary alcohols, yielded esters with a decanoic acid impurity. The impurity issue was solved by using a one to one molar ratio of decanoic acid to alcohol with a slightly longer reaction time.These conditions yielded pure ester products, indicated by a loss of the impurity signal at 2.35 parts per million in the proton NMR spectrum. As with any organic synthesis method, safety data sheets for chemicals should be consulted and proper personal protective equipment and facilities should be used when performing this procedure.

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34.2K Views.  Siena College. The overall goal of this experiment is to provide a greener methodology for a common esterification reaction, which could serve useful for estro-synthesis in academic and industrial applications. Our method can be used for efficient and mild synthesis of esters by coupling carboxylic acids with primary or secondary alcohols or phenols. The main advantage of this technique is that it eliminates the use of hazardous chlorinated or amide reaction solvents and it minimizes solvent waste during pu...