Styryl ether formation from benzyl alcohols under transition-metal-free basic DMSO conditions.

A phenol-catalyzed aerobic oxidative styryl ether formation method was developed with benzyl alcohol under basic DMSO. Styryl ether was obtained after 12 hours of heating at 60-80 °C where DMSO was involved in the reaction as the extra carbon source. Control experiments indicated that both phenol and DMSO are crucial for the success of the reaction. A variety of styryl ethers were prepared smoothly from benzyl alcohols in good to excellent yields in an environmentally friendly way.