High-valent [Sn(Br8TPP)(OTf)2] as a highly efficient and reusable catalyst for selective methoxymethylation of alcohols and phenols: The effect of substituted bromines on the catalytic activity

High-valent tin(IV)octabromotetraphenylporphyrinato trifluoromethanesulfonate, [Sn^IV(Br₈TPP)(OTf)₂], was used for selective methoxymethylation of alcohols and phenols with formaldehyde dimethyl acetal (FDMA) at room temperature. Different primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols as well as phenols were converted to their corresponding methoxymethyl ethers with FMDA in the presence of an electron deficient tin(IV) porphyrin. The catalyst was reused several times without significant loss of its activity.