Synthesis of Aryl Ethers from Aromatic Carboxylic Acids

A silver/copper bimetallic catalyst system promotes the decarboxylative Chan-Evans-Lam alkoxylation of ortho-substituted aromatic carboxylate salts with tetraalkyl orthosilicates or triaryl borates. Non-ortho-substituted carboxylates are alkoxylated via an ortho-C-H-alkoxylation with concomitant cleavage of the carboxylate directing group via protodecarboxylation. This way, meta-substituted carboxylates are converted into para-substituted alkoxyarenes and vice versa. The combined processes provide a convenient synthetic entry to the important class of aromatic ethers from widely available carboxylic acids.