A facile and efficient ZrCl4 catalyzed conversion of aldehydes to geminal-diacetates and dipivalates and their cleavage

A novel, mild and efficient method has been developed for the preparation of geminal-diacetates and dipivalates in high yields through a reaction of aldehydes with acetic anhydride or pivalic anhydride using Zirconium (IV) chloride as a catalyst under solvent free conditions. Regeneration of aldehydes from the acylals was also achieved using the same catalyst in CH3OH.