Chemistry Letters, Vol.29, No.12, 1352-1353, 2000
Benzylation of alcoholic hydroxyl groups with benzyl mesylate by using a catalytic amount of lithium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate in the coexistence of lithium triflate and magnesium oxide
Several alcohols possessing alkali-labile substituents such as halogen, ester and ketone were effectively benzylated with benzyl mesylate by using a catalytic amount of lithium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate [LiB(C6F5)(4)] in the coexistence of lithium triflate (LiOTf) and magnesium oxide (MgO) to afford the corresponding benzyl ethers in good to excellent yields.