Vilsmeier Reaction of Phenols. I. Synthesis of Aryl Formates

Abstract The reaction of phenol and o-t-butylphenols with N,N-dimethylformamide–phosphoryl chloride complex in dimethylformamide afforded the corresponding formates in fairly good yields. The scope and limitation of o-formylation of highly sterically hindered phenols with the complex were also examined.