Rate-acceleration in gold-nanocluster-catalyzed aerobic oxidative esterification using 1,2- and 1,3-diols and their derivatives

Aerobic oxidation of aldehydes to 1,2- and 1,3-diol monoesters was catalyzed by polymer-incarcerated gold nanoclusters under ambient conditions. The esterification proceeded much faster with 1,2- and 1,3-diols and their derivatives rather than with methanol. Magnum PI: Gold-nanocluster catalysts, PI-Au, that were immobilized on polystyrene-based polymers with cross-linking moieties, were used to catalyze the syntheses of 1,2 and 1,3-diol monoesters and their derivatives from aldehydes. The effect of neighboring-group participation in the esterification reaction is also described.