Bu4NI-catalyzed construction of CO bonds by oxidative coupling of alcohols with ethers

A facile and efficient protocol for the construction of CO bonds by oxidative coupling of alcohols with ethers has been realized in the absence of transition metals. The reaction was performed with a catalytic amount of n-Bu4NI and aqueous TBHP as an oxidant. A series of α-acyloxy ethers were obtained in good yields.