Catalytic Dehydrative Allylation of Alcohols

Abstract

An environmentally benign synthesis of allyl ethers has been developed which can be applied to a highly chemoselective protection of hydroxyl groups. A highly efficient [CpRu]–2-quinolinecarboxylic acid (L) catalytic system was successfully employed for the dehydrative allylation of various alcohols without additional activators and solvent (see scheme; R=alkyl, aryl, multifunctional alkyl, Cp=C5H5).