Alkoxyhydorosilane is found to be an effective mediator for the cross-etherification reaction between two distinct alcohols, namely, a secondary benzyl alcohol and an aliphatic alcohol, providing the unsymmetrical dialkyl ethers in good-to-high yields. The reaction is also successfully applied to the lignin model compound, which is an important renewable non-fossil organic carbon source. Initial mechanistic studies indicated that the carbocation derived from benzyl alcohol was formed under the present reaction conditions.
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