Iridium‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Allylic Etherification with Aliphatic Alkoxides: Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydropyrans and Dihydrofurans

Hindered chiral ethers with one or two stereocenters are now readily available by allylic etherification of primary and secondary alkoxides (see reaction). When an Ir–phosphoramidite complex is used as the catalyst, the reaction proceeds with high regio-, enantio-, and diastereoselectivity. Np=1-naphthyl.