ONE-STEP SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL CARBONATES - ALKOXYMETHYL CARBONATES, FROM ALCOHOLS AND CHLOROMETHYL ALKYL ETHERS USING SILVER CARBONATE

A synthesis of the novel carbonates, alkoxymethyl carbonates, is prese nted, starting with an alcohol. In the presence of silver carbonate, p rimary and secondary alcohols react with chloromethyl alkyl ethers in N,N-dimethylformamide under mild conditions to give the corresponding alkoxymethyl carbonates in good yields, without forming the alkoxymeth yl ethers. The yields of alkoxymethyl carbonates are heavily influence d by the reaction solvent and this method is not applicable to tertiar y alcohols. Methoxymethyl carbonate can be removed readily under mild basic or acidic conditions, and selective alkoxide interchange of the methoxymethoxide group occurs under basic conditions.