Catalyst Free Hydroxyl Protection of Quinine via Esterification

Abstract

A method to protect the hydroxyl group of quinine via esterification is developed. The method uses acetyl and benzoyl as the protection group. The method employs no catalyst that generates reasonable yield at 83% for acetyl and 73% for benzoyl. This catalyst free method emphasizes on the importance substrate reactivity to achieve free catalyst procedure. Ester form of quinine synthesized might be further functionalized for various aims in accordance to its rich functional group and building block of quinine.