Appel Reaction of Carboxylic Acids with Tribromoisocyanuric Acid/Triphenylphosphine: a Mild and Acid-Free Preparation of Esters and Amides

A facile and efficient method for esterification and amidation of carboxylic acids under neutral conditions has been developed. Esters and amides can be prepared by reacting a carboxylic acid (1 mmol) with tribromoisocyanuric acid (0.37 mmol) and triphenylphosphine (1 mmol) in dichloromethane at room temperature, followed by addition of an alcohol or an amine, respectively.