Transition metal free oxidative esterification of alcohols with toluene

Using Bu4NI as the catalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant, direct esterification of alcohols with toluene derivatives was achieved. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the alcohols are sequentially oxidized to aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and then to benzyl esters. Bu4N+ functions as a phasetransfer reagent and iodide catalyzes the reaction.