A direct esterification of α-alkoxy alkanes with acids is reported under transition-metal-free conditions mediated by NCS with a broad substrate generality.
The copper-catalyzedformation of C–Obonds by oxidativecoupling of benzylicalcohols with ethers was realized in open air. A series of α-acyloxy ethers were obtained in good yields with aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant.
A practical and efficient construction of C–O bonds via oxidative cross-coupling reaction of aldehydes and ethers has been realized under open air. When 2 mol% copper was used as the catalyst, various α-acyloxy ethers were obtained with up to 93% isolated yield.