A Simple Catalyst for the Efficient Benzylation of Arenes by Using Alcohols, Ethers, Styrenes, Aldehydes, or Ketones

The compound [IrCp*(OTf)(2)(I-nBu)] (I-nBu = 1,3-di-n-butyl-imidazolylidene) is an effective catalyst in the benzylation of arenes with different benzylating agents, such as alcohols, ethers and styrenes, representing ail unprecedented highly versatile catalyst for this type of process. The same compound also catalyses a remarkable tandem process that allows the use of aldehydes and ketones as benzylating agents, through the base-free hydrogenation of C=O bonds with iPrOH and further use of the resulting primary or secondary alcohols as benzylating agents.