Stereospecific synthesis of chiral tertiary alkyl-aryl ethers via Mitsunobu reaction with complete inversion of configuration

Mitsunobu reaction of chiral tertiary alcohol (S)-2 with phenol 3 provides the desired ether (R)-1 in moderate yields at elevated temperatures (80–100°C). The SN2 displacement pathway is evident by complete inversion of the (S)-alcohol to (R)-ether.