The preparation of triethyl orthoformate
triethyl orthoformate is also an important raw material for organic synthesis. The preparation method is more elegant.

Common preparation methods use ethanol, chloroform and alkali as starting materials. First mix chloroform with ethanol, add alkali to a suitable reactor, and gradually add alkali. During this period, precise temperature control is required, and the reaction is usually carried out at a moderate low temperature to prevent side reactions. The concentration and addition rate of alkali have a great influence on the reaction. If the concentration of alkali is too high or the addition speed is too fast, it is easy to cause the reaction to be too violent and the product is impure; otherwise, the reaction is slow and takes a long time.

When reacting, pay close attention to the changes of the system, observe the fluctuations in temperature and pressure, and the transformation of the phase state of the material. When the reaction is coming to an end, the method of distillation is used to separate and purify the product. First, atmospheric distillation is used to remove unreacted ethanol, chloroform and other low-boiling impurities, and then distilled under reduced pressure to obtain pure triethyl orthoformate.

During the operation, strict procedures are followed. Because chloroform is toxic, and the reaction system may be flammable and explosive, safety measures such as ventilation, fire protection and explosion-proof are essential. The instruments used also need to be washed and dried in advance to ensure that the reaction is not disturbed by impurities. In this way, high-quality triethyl orthoformate can be obtained to meet the needs of organic synthesis.