Mild and Adaptable Silver Triflate-Assisted Method for Trityl Protection of Alcohols in Solution with Solid-Phase Loading Applications

Trityl ethers were prepared in solution in a matter of minutes by treating trityl chloride with silver triflate in the presence of alcohols. Yields were comparable or better than known literature methods. The method was compatible with the base-labile Fmoc protecting group of amino alcohols and adapted for trityl protection of halo-containing alcohols. These base- and nucleophile-sensitive intermediates were anchored on trityl resin and further functionalized, displaying the utility of this approach for future combinatorial applications.