InCl3 catalyzed carbene insertion into O–H bonds: efficient synthesis of ethers

An efficient InCl3 mediated insertion of the carbene fragment (:CHCO2Et), generated in situ from ethyl diazoacetate into O–H bond of a series of saturated and unsaturated alcohols under mild conditions has been developed to afford the corresponding ethers as exclusive products in good to high yields (70–95%) and in shorter reaction times. In the case of unsaturated alcohols, the reaction proceeded with unprecedented selectivity resulting in ethers as the only products and in high yields.