New Addition Reactions of Cyclic Ethers with Esters and Thioesters Catalyzed by Quaternary Ammonium Salts or Crown Ether Complexes

A new addition reaction of 3-benzyloxymethyl-3-methyloxetane with S-phenyl thioacetate proceeded to give 3-benzyloxy-2-methyl-2-phenylthiomethylpropyl acetate catalyzed by 18-crown-6-potassium phenoxide complex. N-(2-Acetoxyethyl)-N-(2-phenoxyethyl)acetamide was also synthesized in high yield by the addition reaction of 5-methyl-4,6-dioxa-1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane with phenyl acetate, using tetrabutylammonium salts as catalysts.