Lewis Acid Catalysis in Water with a Hydrophilic Substrate: Scandium‐Catalyzed Hydroxymethylation with Aqueous Formaldehyde in Water

Abstract

Synthesis in deep water: For the title reaction, which proceeds with high selectivities, acid–base interactions between the Sc catalyst and HCHO are important. The reaction was used in the synthesis of an odorant to demonstrate its utility (see scheme; ligand DS not shown; PI-Pd=polymer-incarcerated palladium; BTF=benzotrifluoride). Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.