Cu-Catalyzed -alkylation of phenol derivatives with alkylsilyl peroxides.

A Cu-catalyzed O-alkylation of phenol derivatives using alkylsilyl peroxides as alkyl radical precursors is described. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild reaction conditions and the use of two different ligands with a Cu catalyst provides a wide range of products. A mechanistic study suggested that the reaction proceeds via a radical mechanism.