Recent Advances in Functionalization of α-C(sp3)-H Centres in Inactivated Ethers through Cross Dehydrogenative Coupling

Carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond construction through oxidative carbon-hydrogen bond activation has attracted much attention in synthetic organic chemistry. Recently, a variety of reactions of inactivated cyclic ethers (THF, THP and dioxane) and acyclic ethers with various coupling part-ners have been reported. Despite the absence of phenyl rings and high oxidation potentials, these ethers worked efficiently under oxidative conditions. This review focusses on recent reports of C-C and C-heteroatom bond formation in these cyclic and acyclic ethers through cross dehydrogenative coupling.