Facile and General Aryl Ester Synthesis via Transesterification of NHPI Ester with Phenols

Abstract The widespread presence of aryl esters in natural products, pharmaceuticals, fragrances, functional materials, and fine chemicals, coupled with increasing demands in chemistry, chemical industry, and other scientific fields, necessitates the development of green and efficient synthetic methods for their structurally and functionally diverse synthesis. Yet, its reporting remains scarce, despite the fact that esterification reaction has been advancing for nearly two centuries. Herein, we present a facile, specific, and general aryl ester synthesis from phenols and N ‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) esters (as acylation reagents) in the presence of only an inorganic base. This facile protocol enables the synthesis of a broad range of aryl esters, as well as analogues of gemfibrozil, estrogen drugs, and aryl ester liquid crystals, with high yields and remarkable tolerance of reactive functional groups. Thus, it presents an ideal and reliable alternative for aryl ester synthesis.