Efficient and Chemoselective Conversion of Carbonyl Compounds to 1,3-Dioxanes Catalyzed with <i>N</i>-Bromosuccinimide under Almost Neutral Reaction Conditions

Abstract

Various types of carbonyl compounds were converted to the corresponding 1,3-dioxanes in the presence of ethyl orthoformate, 1,3-propanediol, and a catalytic amount of NBS via an in situ acetal exchange process. In contrast to conventional acid-catalyzed acetalization reactions, acid-sensitive substrates such as THP ethers and TBDMS ethers remain intact under described reaction conditions.