Facile synthesis of diphenylmethyl esters from 2-diphenylmethoxypyridine using catalytic boron trifluoride·diethyl etherate

A practical method for the direct preparation of diphenylmethyl (DPM) esters from 2-diphenylmethoxypyridine is described. The reaction was readily performed in the presence of a catalytic amount of boron trifluoride-diethyl etherate at room temperature. Using this reaction protocol, various carboxylic acids were converted to DPM esters with high yields. This method is highly effective for the protection of carboxylic acids and the synthesis of DPM esters, and offers a promising approach for facile esterification of a variety of carboxylic acids.