Polyvinylpolypyrrolidoniume tribromide as new and metal-free catalyst for the formylation and trimethylsilylation of hydroxyl group

Trimethylsilylation of alcohols was achieved using 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) as silylating agent, in the presence of polyvinylpolypyrrolidoniume tribromide in acetonitrile at room temperature. Also a variety of alcohols were converted into alkyl formates by ethyl formate and a catalytic amount of polyvinylpolypyrrolidoniume tribromide under solvent free conditions at room temperature.