Reaction of orthoesters with alcohols in the presence of acidic catalysts: A study

Allylic and benzylic alcohols are converted into corresponding unsymmetrical ethers when reacted with various orthoesters in the presence of montmorillonite KSF at ambient temperature. A detailed study has been undertaken to examine the mechanism and generality of these reactions with regard to various acidic catalysts, which reveal interesting competitive reactions mainly O-acetylation, together with trace amount of dimerized product. The type of the side product and their relative quantity depends upon the nature of the catalyst employed. Furthermore, the low yields of the Claisen rearrangement product obtained from allylic alcohols under heating is rationalized due to the formation of some of these products.