N-Heterocyclic carbene catalyzed synthesis of oxime estersElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures and full spectroscopic data for all isolated compounds. See DOI: 10.1039/c2ob26974k

A triazolium salt derived N -heterocyclic carbene catalyzes the redox esterification reaction between α-β-unsaturated aldehydes and oximes. The resulting saturated oxime esters were obtained in very good yields for a broad range of aliphatic, aromatic and heteroaromatic substrates. A selective, redox- and atom economical synthesis of oxime esters via N -heterocyclic carbene catalyzed redox esterification has been developed. The new protocol opens a convenient and direct entry to the title compounds in very high yields without any significant limitations in the substrate scope.