InBr₃-Et₃SiH-Mediated Direct Reduction of Esters to Ethers

Significance

The most common ether synthesis is the Williamson reaction of alkoxy anions with alkyl electrophiles. The known alternatives usually require strong reducing agents like LAH or toxic compounds. The method reported here has advantages of relatively mild conditions and increased tolerance of functionalities; besides, it utilizes the non-toxic silane as a reducing agent and indium as catalyst. Esters which can give stable radicals are reduced to alkanes.