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 C1 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%).
