A Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Procedure for the Conversion of 2-Methoxyethoxymethyl Ethers to Carboxylic Esters

Abstract
A procedure for the conversion of 2-methoxy-ethoxymethyl (MEM) ethers to carboxylic esters employed ferric chloride (0.4 equivalents) and a carboxylic anhydride (14 equivalents) and exhibited selectivity for the MEM ether functionality in the presence of benzyl ethers.