Triethyl orthoformate

Triethyl orthoformate is an organic compound with the formula HC(OC2H5)3. It is a colorless volatile liquid. It is orthoester of formic acid. It is commercially available. The industrial synthesis is from hydrogen cyanide and ethanol. Triethyl orthoformate is an organic compound with the formula HC(OC2H5)3. It is a colorless volatile liquid. It is orthoester of formic acid. It is commercially available. The industrial synthesis is from hydrogen cyanide and ethanol. It may also be prepared from the reaction of sodium ethoxide and chloroform: Triethyl orthoformate is used in the Bodroux-Chichibabin aldehyde synthesis, for example: In coordination chemistry, it is used to convert metal aquo complexes to the corresponding ethanol complexes: