Copper-catalyzed benzylic C(sp(3))-H alkoxylation of heterocyclic compounds.

We achieved intra- and intermolecular C(sp(3))-H alkoxylation of benzylic positions of heteroaromatic compounds using CuBrn (n = 1, 2)/5,6-dimethylphenanthroline (or 4,7-dimethoxyphenanthroline) and ((t)BuO)2 as a catalyst and an oxidant, respectively. The reaction proceeded at both terminal and internal benzylic positions of the alkyl groups. The intramolecular alkoxylation was performed on a gram scale.