4-Methoxybenzyl-2,2,2-trichloroacetimidate

4-Methoxybenzyl-2,2,2-trichloroacetimidate can be used as a reagent for the protection of alcohols as the p-methoxybenzyl ether. 1^o, 2^o, and 3^o alcohols can be easily protected using this reagent with equal efficiency in the presence of a variety of different protective groups. This reagent is commonly used under acidic conditions therefore it offers an alternative method to the Williamson ether synthesis, which is typically used basic conditions to protect base-sensitive alcohols.