Nickel-catalyzed direct synthesis of dialkoxymethane ethers

A simple and efficient method for the preparation of dialkoxymethane ethers (oxymethylene ethers) from alcohols and paraformaldehyde in the presence of commercially available nickel(II) salt is described. The reaction proceeds readily under neutral, solvent-free conditions using paraformaldehyde as a $$\hbox {C}_{1}$$ source. The present strategy has a broad substrate scope including aliphatic (both primary and secondary) and aromatic alcohols and provides a benign method for the preparation of symmetrical dialkoxymethanes in good yields (up to 89%). SYNOPSIS A facile nickel-catalyzed synthesis of dialkoxymethane ethers from alcohols and paraformaldehyde using inexpensive, commercially available $$\hbox {NiBr}_{2}$$ is reported. The reaction proceeds readily under mild, neutral and solvent-free conditions.