Visible-Light-Induced Acetalization of Aldehydes with Alcohols

In this work, we have achieved a simple and general method for acetalization of aldehydes by means of a photochemical reaction under low-energy visible light irradiation. A broad range of aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic aldehydes have been protected under neutral conditions in good to excellent yields using a catalytic amount of Eosin Y as the photocatalyst. Our visible light mediated acetalization strategies are successful for more challenging acid-sensitive aldehydes and sterically hindered aldehydes. Notably, this protocol is chemoselective to aldehydes, while ketones remain intact.