A Mild and Efficient Method for the Stereoselective Formation of C−O Bonds:  Palladium-Catalyzed Allylic Etherification Using Zinc(II) Alkoxides

Abstract

[reaction: see text] A highly chemo- and stereoselective palladium-catalyzed allylic etherification reaction is described. The use of zinc(II) alkoxides proved effective in promoting the addition of the oxygen nucleophile derived from aliphatic alcohols to eta(3)-allylpalladium complexes. Using diethylzinc (0.5 equiv), 5 mol % of Pd(OAc)(2), and 7.5 mol % of 2-di(tert-butyl)phosphinobiphenyl in THF, the cross-coupling reaction between various aliphatic alcohols and allylic acetates proceeded at ambient temperature to furnish allylic ethers with high stereoselectivity.