Regiochemistry of the reaction of 2-acylcyclohexanones with trimethyl orthoformate: A convenient one-pot method to obtain 7,7-dimethoxy alkanoate methyl esters

The regiochemistry of the reaction of 2-acylcyclohexanones [containing 2-ac yl groups, C(O)R, where R = Me, Et, CH,Ph, CF,, Ph and OMe] with trimethyl orthoformate to obtain the corresponding acetal derivative is reported. Com pounds with R = alkyl groups showed to be convenient synthons for a one-pot method to obtain 7,7-dimethoxy alkanoate methyl esters under mild conditio ns. The results of the reaction of 2-acetylcyclopentanone, -heptanone and - octanone with trimethyl orthoformate are also reported.