Three step auto-tandem catalysed hydroesterification: Access to linear fruity esters from piperylene

Abstract A convenient and selective access to saturated hexanoic esters via hydroesterification of piperylene with synthesis gas and methanol is presented. This is the first three step auto-tandem hydroesterification, which is 100% atom economic proceeding under mild conditions. Our optimisations revealed Pd 2 (dba) 3 /1,2-dtbpmb as the best catalytic system. Besides, the reaction also tolerates several alcohols, which offers a broad range of fruity esters. In addition, we present insights into the reaction sequence, investigating whether the reaction proceeds via two- or three-step reaction cascade.