N-heterocyclic carbene catalysed oxidative esterification of aliphatic aldehydes

N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed oxidative esterification of various aliphatic aldehydes is reported. A commercially available bisquinone is used as an external oxidant and rubidium carbonate is best suited as base to run these processes. With the novel method various aliphatic esters are directly obtained in good to excellent yields from the corresponding aldehydes and alcohols.