Copper(I)-catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of unactivated alkenes.

A Cu(I)-Xantphos system catalyzed the intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of unactivated terminal alkenes, giving five- and six-membered ring ethers. This system is applicable to both primary and secondary alcohols. A reaction pathway involving the addition of the Cu-O bond across the C-C double bond is proposed. A chiral Cu(I) catalyst system based on the (R)-DTBM-SEGPHOS ligand promoted enantioselective reaction with moderate enantioselectivity.