Description

• General description: Trimethyl orthoformate is a commonly used reagent in organic synthesis for the preparation of useful building blocks.[1][2] It is also used to introduce the protecting group for aldehydes by the preparation of acetals.[3] Acetals can be deprotected back to the aldehyde by using acid catalysts.[4]
• Application: Trimethyl orthoformate can be used:To convert sulfonic acids to methyl esters.[5]To convert 2-acylcyclohexanones to the corresponding acetal derivatives.[6]To mediate Pinacol reaction of various 1,2-diols with tin(IV) chloride without the formation of water.[7]To synthesize 1-substituted-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazoles via a three-component condensation with amine and sodium azide catalyzed by indium triflate under solvent-free conditions.[8]For the N-methylation of amines in the presence of sulfuric acid.[9]