Tetrabutylammonium iodide catalyzed synthesis of allylic ester with tert-butyl hydroperoxide as an oxidant.

A metal-free C H oxidation for the construction of allylic esters has been developed. The use of a commercially available and inexpensive catalyst and oxidant, and readily available starting materials, coupled with the operational simplicity of the reaction, renders the methodology a useful alternative to other approaches typically employed in the synthesis of allylic esters.