Manganese(I)-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Ketones and Secondary Alcohols with Primary Alcohols.

Catalytic cross-coupling of ketones and secondary alcohols with primary alcohols is reported. An abundant manganese-based pincer catalyst catalyzes the reactions. Low loading of catalyst (2 mol %) and catalytic use of a mild base (5-10 mol %) are sufficient for efficient cross-coupling.

Manganese(I)-Catalyzed α-Alkenylation of Ketones Using Primary Alcohols.

A simple protocol of manganese catalyzed selective α-alkenylation of ketones using primary alcohols is reported. The reactions proceeded well with a low loading of catalyst (0.3 mol %).

Iron-Catalyzed Selective Etherification and Transetherification Reactions Using Alcohols.

Simple and readily available iron(III) triflate turned out to be a cheap, environmentally benign, and efficient catalyst for the direct etherification of alcohols. The use of ammonium chloride as an additive (5 mol %, 1 equiv relative to catalyst) suppressed the side reactions completely and ensured the selective ether formation even on challenging substrates containing electron-donating substituents. This method allows the selective synthesis of symmetrical ethers from benzylic secondary alcohols and unsymmetrical ethers directly from secondary and primary alcohols.