Synthesis of aromatic aldehyde acetals from (dibromomethyl)arenes

Zinc chloride-catalyzed double debromoalkoxylation of (dibromomethyl)arenes on treatment with trialkyl orthoformates resulted in the corresponding aromatic aldehyde acetals. On the first step, α-brominated ether is formed, which undergoes the second debromoalkoxylation producing acetal. This method is tolerated to ester functionalized derivatives.