A conceptually new regioselective and highly syn-stereoselective intermolecular Friedel–Crafts-type O-alkylation of phenols with aryl epoxides by the use of appropriately substituted aryl borates is reported. The carbon–carbon bond formation occurs in neutral and mild conditions without the need for external Lewis acids or transition metal catalysts.
stereoselective direct carbon-carbon coupling of readily available aryl borates with N-protected aryl aziridines provides a method for the synthesis of new 2-(o-hydroxyaryl)-2-aryl ethylamines which can be used, in a novel annulation sequence, to give stereodefined substituted 3-aryl indolines. [reaction: see text]