New Methods and Reagents in Organic Synthesis. 14. A Simple Efficient Preparation of Methyl Esters with Trimethylsilyldiazomethane (TMSCHN₂) and Its Application to Gas Chromatographic Analysis of Fatty Acids

Abstract

Trimethylsilyldiazomethane (TMSCHN₂), known as a stable and safe substitute for highly toxic and explosive diazomethane in the Arndt-Eistert synthesis and homologation of carbonyl compounds, has smoothly reacted with various carboxylic acids in methanolic benzene solution to give the corresponding methyl esters in excellent yields.