Copper(II) bromide as an efficient catalyst for acetal to bisarylmethyl ether interconversion

Transprotection of acetals to bis(methoxyphenyl)methyl (BMPM) ethers can be efficiently achieved in the presence of copper dibromide as catalyst in acetonitrile at room temperature. Acetals are conveniently and selectively converted to the corresponding mono-protected diol with bis(methoxyphenyl)methyl isopropyl ether (BMPMOiPr) as the reagent. This new practical reagent allows the BMPM transfer to 1,3-dioxolanes or 1,3-dioxanes under copper catalysis. The reaction conditions are also very mild and tolerant to various functional groups, including other protecting groups.