Gallium triiodide as a highly efficient and mild catalyst for the diethyl acetalization of carbonyl compounds

Wenzhou Vocational and Technical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, P. R. China E-mail : djc@wzvtc.cn Fax : 86-577-86680188 College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, P.R. China E-mail : hywu3@163.com Fax : 86-577-88368280 Manuscript received 15 February 2007. revised 28 December 2007, accepted 6 March 2008 Diethyl acetals were obtained from carbonyl compounds in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions in the presence of triethyl orthoformate and a catalytic amount of gallium triiodide in anhydrous ethanol.