Copper-Catalyzed Carbene Insertion into O−H Bonds: High Selective Conversion of Alcohols into Ethers

The complexes Tp X Cu (Tp X = homoscorpionate ligands) efficiently catalyze the insertion of the carbene fragment:CHCO 2 Et, generated from ethyl diazoacetate, into the OH bond of saturated and unsaturated alcohols, under mild conditions. In the case of unsaturated alcohols, the reaction proceeds selectively toward the insertion product, and in no case has the addition product been observed.