PIFA-mediated esterification reaction of alkynes with alcohols via oxidative cleavage of carbon triple bonds.

A metal-free esterification of alkynes via C≡C triple bond cleavage has been developed. In the presence of phenyliodine bis(trifluoroacetate), a diverse range of alkyne and alcohol substrates undergoes triple bond cleavage to produce carboxylic ester motifs in moderate to good yields. The transformation is proposed to proceed via hydroxyethanones and ethanediones as intermediates on the basis of mechanistic studies and exhibits a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance.