Iron-catalyzed oxidative direct α-C-H bond functionalization of cyclic ethers: selective C-O bond formation in the presence of a labile aldehyde group.

Iron catalyzed oxidative coupling of salicylaldehydes with cyclic ethers proceeded through the direct α-C-H functionalization of ethers, forming the corresponding acetals in moderate to excellent yields. This is the first example of iron catalyzed selective C-O bond formation in the presence of a sensitive aldehyde moiety.