Bismuth triflate and microencapsulated bismuth triflate: Efficient catalysts for methoxymethylation of alcohols and carboxylic acids

Bismuth triflate [Bi(OTf)3] and microencapsulated bismuth triflate [MC Bi(OTf)3] catalyze methoxymethylation (MOM) reaction of alcohols, and carboxylic acids with dimethoxymethane (DMM) in acetonitrile under reflux conditions. This reaction affords corresponding ethers, and carboxylic esters in good to excellent yields for a variety of structurally divergent substrates. DMM is an effective methoxymethylating reagent when used in conjunction with Bi(OTf)3 and MC Bi(OTf)3 in chloroform and acetonitrile, respectively. A wide range of methoxymethyl ethers are produced from corresponding alcohols and carboxylic acids in good yields, shorter reaction times and under mild conditions when compared to other metal triflates like scandium and indium. Encapsulated catalyst exhibits truly heterogeneous nature throughout the reaction.