Microwave-Accelerated Alkylation of Arenes/Heteroarenes with Benzylic Alcohols Using Antimony(III) Chloride as Catalyst: Synthesis of O-Heterocycles

An efficient protocol for alkylation of electron-rich arenes/heteroarenes with benzylic alcohols under microwave irradiation using antimony(III) chloride as catalyst has been developed. The mild reaction conditions, high yields, operational simplicity, and applicability to various substrates render the approach a useful route for the synthesis of diaryl/triarylalkane. In addition, a new route for the conversion of ortho-alkenylated phenols into functionalized O-heterocycles has been accomplished.