Formaldehyde solution

Formaldehyde solution commercially formaldehyde solution is an aqueous solution containing 37% formaldehyde and 8-10% methanol. Formaldehyde solution can be activated by adding the catalytic amount of lanthanide triflate. This activated formaldehyde solution was employed for the smooth hydroxymethylation reaction of silyl enol ethers. Formaldehyde solution reacts with silyl enol ethers to afford the corresponding hydroxymethylated adducts in high yields.