TFBen (Benzene-1,3,5-triyl triformate): A Powerful and Versatile CO Surrogate.

Carbonylative reactions by the using of CO surrogates constitute a facile avenue for the assembly of valuable carbonyl-containing compounds due to the colorless, toxic, flammable, and not easy-handing character of carbon monoxide gas. Recent advances in the carbonylative transformations with TFBen (benzene-1,3,5-triyl triformate) as a safe and convenient CO precursor are systematically summarized and discussed, which can be divided into three parts based on the patterns of the obtained products. This Review focuses on the discussion of the application of TFBen in carbonylative synthesis of various carbonyl-containing compounds.