Highly Efficient Cross‐Dehydrogenative‐Coupling between Ethers and Active Methylene Compounds

An unlikely couple: CC bonds can be formed between ethers and methylene compounds by cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (see scheme; DDQ=2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone). This straightforward reaction employs mild conditions and simple catalysts and allows reasonably high yields.