Preparation and reactions of active acylating agents

SECTION 3.4. SYNTHETIC INTERCONVERSION OF CARBOXYLIC ACID DERIVATIVES 

CHAPTER 3 FUNCTIONAL GROUP INTERCONVERSION BY NUCLEOPHILIC SUBSTITUTION 

As mentioned in the preceding section one of the most general methods of synthesis of esters is by reaction of alcohols with an acid chloride or other activated carboxylic acid derivative. Section 3.2.5 included a discussion of two other important methods, namely, reactions with diazoalkanes and reactions of carboxylate salts with alkyl halides or sulfonate esters. There remains to be mentioned the acid-catalyzed reaction of carboxylic acids with alcohols, which is frequently referred to as Fischer esterification  

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Scheme 3.4. Preparation and Reactions of Active Acylating Agents...

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