Ruthenium(VIII)-Catalyzed ipso-Dearomative Spiro-Etherification and Spiro-Amidation of Phenols

An open air ruthenium(VIII)-catalyzed oxidative spiro-etherification as well as spiro-amidation of phenols has been performed. The transformation works satisfactorily with both phenols and naphthols and thus exhibits a wide range of flexibility. The catalysis is performed in open air at room temperature with a yield of <= 95%.