An unique method for the synthesis of ester compounds without the addition of solvent and catalyst

The synthesis of ester compounds is of practical importance for many applications. In this work, we report that diethyl 4,4 '-biphenyldicarboxylate can be directly synthesized by the interaction of titanium ethoxide (Ti(OEt)(4)) and biphenyl-4,4 '-dicarboxylic acid without the addition of solvent and catalyst. Further, such synthetic route has been demonstrated to be also suitable for the synthesis of other similar ester compounds like diethyl 2,2 ' bipyridine-5,5 '-dicarboxylate. The structure of obtained products is determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The unique method will provide new insight into the production of ester compounds.