Lanthanide(III) triflate-catalyzed thermal- and microwave-assisted synthesis of benzyl ethers from benzyl alcohols

The lanthanide(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate-catalyzed condensation of benzyl alcohols with primary and secondary alcohols is described. This reaction proceeds readily with benzyl alcohols that have an alkyl or aryl substituent at the alpha-, ortho-, or para-position using microwave radiation or heating. The intramolecular variant of this reaction leads to cyclic benzofurans.