N,N,N′,N′-tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide and poly(N-bromo-N-ethyl-benzene-1,3-disulfonamide) as efficient catalysts for the methoxymethylation of alcohols under solvent-free conditions

Methoxymethylation of a variety of alcohols was performed using formaldehyde dimethyl acetal in the presence of N,N,N',N'-tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide [TBBDA] and poly(N-bromo-N-ethyl-benzene-1,3-disulfonamide) [PBBS] as catalysts at room temperature and solvent-free conditions. The methoxymethyl ethers (MOM-ethers) were obtained with good to excellent yields.