Cu-catalysed direct α-functionalisation of aliphatic ethers Feba Thomas Pulikkottil, Xacobe C. Cambeiro University of Greenwich, UK Selective functionalisation of C-H bonds in organic molecules can have an immense influence on their biological activities and other properties. 1 However, compared to the enormous progress in aromatic systems, aliphatic C-H functionalisation remains a significant challenge. 2 Strategies for the α-functionalisation of ethers have been typically based on the abstraction of an H atom by heteroatom-centered radicals derived from the decomposition of strong oxidants such as peroxides. 3 In recent years, photocatalytic strategies based on hydrogen atom transfer have shown great potential in these transformations. Here we report a simple method based on the use of a Cu(II) carboxylate catalyst with N ligands, which promotes the reaction efficiently at room temperature without the need for an oxidant, a photocatalyst or light.
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