Highly efficient and chemoselective acetalization of carbonyl compounds catalyzed by new and reusab e zirconyl triflate, zr0(0tf)2

Abstract

Various types of aromatic aldehydes were efficiently converted to their corresponding 1,3-dioxanes and 1,3-dioxolane with 1,3-propanediol and ethylene glycol, respectively, in the presence of catalytic amount of ZrO(OTf) 2 in acetonitrile at room temperature. The catalyst can be reused several times without loss of its catalytic activity. Very short reaction times, selective acetalization of aromatic aldehydes in the presence of aliphatic aldehydes and ketones, very mild reaction conditions, reusability of the catalyst, and easy workup are noteworthy advantages of this method. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.