Cyclic ether synthesis from diols using trimethyl phosphate

Chem Commun (Camb). 2017 Apr 27;53(35):4787-4790. doi: 10.1039/c7cc01514c.

Abstract

Cyclic ethers have been effectively synthesized via the intramolecular cyclization of diols using trimethyl phosphate and NaH. The present cyclization could proceed at room temperature to produce 5-7 membered cyclic ethers in good to excellent yields. Substrates possessing a chiral secondary hydroxy group were transformed into the corresponding chiral cyclic ethers along with the retention of their stereochemistries.