Recent Advances in the Photochemical Synthesis of Esters

Abstract Photocatalysis has recently emerged as a powerful synthetic tool for making a variety of carbon‐carbon and carbon‐heteroatom bonds. The development of esterification reactions induced by light is an atom economical and energy efficient alternative to traditional methods for the synthesis of esters, with benefits including mild reaction conditions, high chemical yields, and wide functional group tolerance. This review summarizes recent progress made in this green methodology, including mechanisms of action, substrate scope, limitations and future prospects.