Polystyrene trimethyl ammonium chloride impregnated Rh(0) (Rh@PMe3NCl) as a catalyst and methylating agent for esterification of alcohols through selective oxidation of methanol

Rhodium(0) nanoparticle (NP)-impregnated polystyrene trimethyl ammonium chloride (PMe3NCl) resin (Rh@PMe3NCl) under basic conditions acts as a cross-dehydrogenative coupling-methylating (CDCM) agent for the selective oxidation of methanol and its in situ reaction with benzyl/alkyl alcohols allowing methyl group transfer for acetate ester synthesis in a tandem approach. The redox property of methanol which restricts the oxidation of benzyl/alkyl alcohols for product formation is critically investigated.