Intermolecular reactions of chlorohydrine anions: acetalization of carbonyl compounds under basic conditions

[reaction: see text] Nonenolizable aldehydes and ketones react with 2-chloroethanol and 3-chloropropanol under basic conditions (t-BuOK, DMF/THF) with formation of 2-substituted 1,3-dioxolanes and 1,3-dioxanes, respectively. Conversion of the two-step addition-alkylation process depends on the electrophilicity of the carbonyl group that governs the equilibrium of addition of chloroalkoxides. This method of protection of carbonyl groups in the form of cyclic acetals under kinetically controlled conditions is complementary to the acid-catalyzed reaction with diols.