Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Acylals from Aldehydes Using Mg(CH3SO3)2–HOAC

Abstract An efficient method for the synthesis of acylals from different aldehydes and acetic anhydride in the presence of magnesium methanesulfonate–acetic acid under ultrasound irradiation at room temperature is achieved. Only 1.5 mol% of magnesium methanesulfonate and a small quantity of acetic acid are needed to effect the reaction. Selective conversion of aldehydes is observed in the presence of ketones. The catalyst remains active and exhibits no substantial loss of activity or selectivity in up to three reaction cycles.