Benzylation of arenes through FeCl3-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reaction via C–O activation of benzyl ether

Various benzyl ethers were converted to benzyl arenes via a FeCl3-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction under mild condition in good yields. This method also offered a simple and practical approach to synthesize di- or tri-aryl methanes and aryl heteroaryl methanes through the activation of C–O bonds.