A new method for the synthesis of esters by C=C bond breaking in olefins has been realised using cobalt nanoparticles (Co?NC?900) as catalysts and oxygen as oxidant.The catalytic system has a wide range of substrate applications and functional group compatibility.A diverse set of mono? and multi?substituted aromatic and aliphatic alkenes could be effectively cleaved and converted into the corresponding esters by C=C bond cleavage. In addition, the catalyst can be recycled up to six times without significant loss of activity.Characterization analysis revealed nanostructured nitrogen?doped graphene?layer coated cobalt nanoparticleis possibly responsible for excellent catalytic activity.Mechanistic studies revealed that alcohols or ketones derived from olefins under oxidative conditions are formed as intermediates,which subsequently are converted to esters through a tandem sequential process.