Synthesis of 4-(Dibromomethyl)benzaldehyde by Catalytic Debromophosphoryl- and Phosphonyloxylation of 1,4-Bis(dibromomethyl)benzene with Phosphorus(IV) Acid Methyl Esters and Its Properties

A new procedure has been developed for the simultaneous preparation of terephthalaldehyde and 4-(dibromomethyl)benzaldehyde by catalytic debromophosphoryl- and phosphonyloxylation of 1,4-bis- (dibromomethyl)benzene with P(IV) acid methyl esters. The reaction of 4-(dibromomethyl)benzaldehyde with ortho esters in the presence of sulfuric acid gave the corresponding acetals, whereas in the presence of ZnCl₂ terephthalaldehyde bis-acetals were formed. 4-(Dibromomethyl)benzaldehyde and its acetal were converted to methyl 4-(dibromomethyl)- and 4-(dimethoxymethyl)benzoates which were phosphorylated by the action of chlorophosphines, as well as by successive treatment with phosphorus(III) chloride and P(III) esters.