Photoacid-Catalyzed Esterification of Carboxylic Acids Using Eosin Y

A photoacid-catalyzed method for esterification is proposed wherein eosin Y is introduced as a photoacid and photoredox catalyst that can be activated with visible light and catalyze the esterification of carboxylic acids. The strategy presented here revealed that proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) between eosin Y and carboxylic acid might facilitate the formation of a transient ketyl radical. This ketyl radical would subsequently undergo a single electron transfer and then couple with alkyl alcohols, yielding carboxylic esters in good to excellent yields.