| Abstract: | The unequal amounts of the two diastereomers of (RS)-1-(3-phenoxyphenyl)ethyl (RS)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate, obtained from equimolar proportions of the alcohol and acyl chloride under normal conditions, imply stereoselectivity in the reaction. The extent to which this depends on the nature of the α-substituent for arange of 3-phenoxybenzyl esters, on the nature of the acid, and on the method of esterification is investigated. Selectivity arises from kinetic, rather than thermodynamic control. |
