Bouveault aldehyde synthesis

The Bouveault aldehyde synthesis is a one-pot chemical reaction that converts a primary alkyl halide to an aldehyde one carbon longer.



Reaction mechanism
The first step of the Bouveault aldehyde synthesis is the formation of the Grignard reagent. Upon addition of a N,N-disubstituted formamide (such as DMF) a hemiaminal is formed, which can easily be hydrolyzed into the desired aldehyde.