Efficient Methyl Esterification Using Methoxyl Silica Gel as a Novel Dehydrating Reagent

Methoxyl silica gel was prepared readily by the treatment of silica chloride with methanol. By using methoxyl silica gel as a dehydrating agent, carboxylic acids reacted with methanol in the presence of a protonic acid such as 12‐phosphotungstic acid afforded the corresponding methyl esters in excellent yields. Methoxyl silica gel was prepared readily prepared by the treatment of silica chloride with methanol. By using methoxyl silica gel as a dehydrating agent, carboxylic acids reacted with methanol in the presence of a protonic acid such as 12‐phosphotungstic acid afforded the corresponding methyl esters in excellent yields.