Direct C-C cross-coupling of secondary and primary alcohols catalyzed by a gamma-alumina-supported silver subnanocluster.

Let's drink to that! Two alcohols (one primary and one secondary) can be coupled in an atom-efficient process by a hydrogen-autotransfer catalytic system in the form of silver subnanoclusters supported on gamma-Al(2)O(3). The recyclable heterogeneous catalyst promoted the one-pot C-C cross-coupling in the presence of a catalytic amount of the weak base Cs(2)CO(3) (see reaction mechanism).