From alkyl aromatics to aromatic esters: efficient and selective C-H activation promoted by a bimetallic heterogeneous catalyst.

Oxidizing aromatics: We report an operationally simple and green catalytic oxidative esterification approach that selectively converts methyl aromatics to aromatic carboxylates utilizing a highly stable, active, and reusable heterogeneous bimetallic Au-Pd catalyst and molecular oxygen as benign oxidant without requiring any additives.