Trichloromethyltrimethylsilane, sodium formate, and dimethylformamide: A mild, efficient, and general method for the preparation of trimethylsilyl-protected 2,2,2-trichloromethylcarbinols from aldehydes and ketones

New conditions are described for the preparation of trimethylsilyl-protected 2,2,2-trichloromethylcarbonols from aldehydes and ketones. A one-pot procedure, which avoids the use of strong bases, is described that has given access to 2,2,2-trichloromethylcarbinols.