Copper(II)-catalyzed O-phenylation of alcohols with organobismuth(V) reagents

A convenient method for the Cu(II)-catalyzed O-phenylation of tertiary alcohols with organobismuth(V) compounds under mild conditions is described.Functionalized tertiary alcohols such as α-hydroxy carbonyl compounds were phenylated by using either Ph 3 Bi(OAc) 2 or tetraphenylbismuth compounds.In the cases of O-phenylation of simple tertiary alcohols, the use of tetraphenylbismuth fluoride (Ph 4 BiF) was particularly effective and gave various tertalkyl phenyl ethers in high yields.The synthesis of alkyl phenyl ethers from primary and secondary alcohols are also described.