Sanskar Chem Trade

Triethyl orthoformate is an organic compound with the formula HC(OC₂H₅)₃. This colorless volatile liquid, the orthoester of formic acid, is commercially available. The industrial synthesis is from hydrogen cyanide and ethanol.^[1]

It may also be prepared from the reaction of sodium ethoxide, formed in-situ from sodium and absolute ethanol, and chloroform:^[2]

CHCl₃ + 3 Na + 3 EtOH → HC(OEt)₃ + 3⁄2 H₂ + 3 NaCl

Triethyl orthoformate is used in the Bodroux-Chichibabin aldehyde synthesis, for example:^[3]

RMgBr + HC(OC₂H₅)₃ → RC(H)(OC₂H₅)₂ + MgBr(OC₂H₅)RC(H)(OC₂H₅)₂ + H2O → RCHO + 2 C₂H₅OH

In coordination chemistry, it is used to convert metal aquo complexes to the corresponding ethanol complexes:^[4]

[Ni(H₂O)₆](BF₄)₂ + 6 HC(OC₂H₅)₃ → [Ni(C₂H₅OH)₆](BF₄)₂ + 6 HC(O)(OC₂H₅) + 6 HOC₂H₅

Triethyl orthoformate (TEOF) is an excellent reagent for converting compatible carboxylic acids to ethyl esters. Such carboxylic acids, refluxed neat in excess TEOF until low-boilers cease evolution, are quantitatively converted to the ethyl esters, without need for extraneous catalysis.^[5] Alternatively, added to ordinary esterifications using catalytic acid and ethanol, TEOF helps drive esterification to completion by converting the byproduct water formed to ethanol and ethyl formate.

Additional Information:

• Packaging Details: 180 kg * 1 drums