Benzyl 2,2,2-Trichloroacetimidate hydroxy group protection

Acid-Catalyzed Benzylation. Benzyl trichloroacetimidate, Cl3CC(=NH)OBn, reacts with hydroxyl groups under acid catalysis to give the con-esponding benzyl ethers in good yield. The method is particularly useful for the protection of base-sensitive substrates (i.e., alkoxide-sensitive), such as hydroxy esters or hydroxy lactones, as exemplified below. 

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