Synthesis of Ethers from Carbonyl Compounds by Reductive Etherification Catalyzed by Iron(III) and Silyl Chloride

A simple iron- and silyl chloride catalyzed method for the preparation of symmetrical and nonsymmetrical ethers is presented. Various aldehydes and ketones were reductively etherified by using triethylsilane as a reducing agent in the presence of 2 mol% of iron(III) oxo acetate and 8 mol% of chloro(trimethyl)silane. The reactions can be carried out at ambient temperatures and pressures with ethyl acetate as the solvent.