Transacetalization of acetals with butane-1,2,4-triol was carried out using cobalt(II)
chloride and chlorotrimethylsilane as catalysts. The reaction occurs under mild conditions
in acetonitrile and with a short reaction time. The synergic effect of the two Lewis
acids catalyzes the conversion of butane-1,2,4-triol into (2-alkyl- or 2-aryl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl)methanol
derivatives with high regiospecificity and diasteroselectivity.
Key words
butane-1,2,4-triol - transacetalization - regioselective - stereoselective - cobalt
chloride - chlorotrimethylsilane