Synthesis 2008(21): 3487-3491  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1083184
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Chemoselective Etherification of Benzyl Alcohols Using 2,4,6-Trichloro-1,3,5-triazine and Methanol or Ethanol Catalyzed by Dimethyl Sulfoxide

Lili Sun, Yuping Guo, Guisheng Peng, Chunbao Li*
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Tianjin University, 300072 Tianjin, P. R. of China
Fax: +86(22)27403475; e-Mail: lichunbao@tju.edu.cn;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 4 June 2008
Publication Date:
16 October 2008 (online)

Abstract

An efficient method for the transformation of benzyl alcohols into their methyl or ethyl ethers has been established using 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine (TCT) and dimethyl sulfoxide in methanol or ethanol. This procedure chemoselectively converts benzylic hydroxys into their methyl or ethyl ethers in the presence of aliphatic or phenolic hydroxys.