Iodine-catalyzed one-pot three-component synthesis of homoallyl benzyl ethers from aldehydes

The remarkable journey of catalysts from stoichiometric to catalytic quantity for allyltrimethylsilane inspired allylation of acetals, ketals, aldehydes and ketones

Allyltrimethylsilane inspired allylation of acetals, ketals, aldehydes, and ketones comprises one of the most viable, significant and graceful methods for the formation of carbon–carbon bonds leading to stereochemical transformation.

Synthesis of cinnamyl ethers from α-vinylbenzyl alcohol using iodine as catalyst

Reactions of α-vinylbenzyl alcohol with other alcohols using iodine as a catalyst were investigated. The corresponding cinnamyl ethers were obtained as products. This suggested that α-vinylbenzyl alcohol was converted to cinnamyl ethers via 1-phenylallyl cation. Cinnamyl ethyl ether was obtained in 75% yield by the reaction of α-vinylbenzyl alcohol and ethanol in acetonitrile with iodine under the following conditions: temperature = 50 °C, molar ratio of α-vinylbenzyl alcohol:ethanol:iodine = 1:3.0:0.2, and time period = 6 h. Generally, the yields of the reactions using primary alcohols were higher than those using secondary and tertiary alcohols. Ether interchange also occurred by the reaction of α-vinylbenzyl alcohol and iodine, but proceeded smoothly only when an allyl group was used as the other substituent of the starting ether.