Orthoesters: Multiple Role Players in Organic Synthesis

Abstract Orthoesters are characterized by three alkoxy groups attached to a single carbon atom. This functional group is used primarily as a masking group for carboxylic acids, due to its robust stability towards strong nucleophiles and bases. Besides this protection role, orthoesters have further utility as versatile precursors in organic synthesis. This review focuses on the latter role of orthoesters as well as their applications in stereoselective synthesis.