Cupric sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O): a mild and efficient catalyst for tetrahydropyranylation/depyranylation of alcohols and phenols

Various alcohols and phenols can be smoothly converted to the corresponding THP ethers using 20 mol % CuSO4·5H2O under mild reaction conditions at room temperature. Some of the major advantages of this procedure are nonaqueous work-up, very good yields, less expensive catalyst and compatibility with other protecting groups.