A direct and mild formylation method for substituted benzenes utilizing dichloromethyl methyl ether-silver trifluoromethanesulfonate.

A silver trifluoromethanesulfonate (AgOTf)-promoted direct and mild formylation of benzenes has been developed. The reaction utilizing dichloromethyl methyl ether (Cl2CHOMe) and AgOTf powerfully formylated various substituted benzenes under temperature conditions as low as -78 °C without losing the protecting groups on the phenolic hydroxyl group.