Which Reagent is used to convert Methyl Alcohol to Methyl Oxalate
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The Bigger Picture
Methanol is an easily accessible fossil fuel alternative, but it is classified as hazardous and is also generally less valuable than other sources of carbon. A direct conversion of methanol to ethanol would provide facile access to a renewable starting material for applications as a safer fuel or an intermediate for the synthesis of the most demanded plastic, polyethylene (PE). This article reports the chemical transformation of methanol to ethanol and other higher alcohols, enabled by sp3-C–H methylation. In addition, the underlying chemistry can also be of importance for biochemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry, where methylation plays a pivotal role. The methanol-to-ethanol conversion is achieved in the presence of a robust catalyst and in only one step. No additive, solvent, or hazardous material is required.