Oxidation of benzyl alcohols with difluoro(aryl)-λ3-bromane: formation of benzyl fluoromethyl ethers via oxidative rearrangement

Oxidative rearrangement of benzyl alcohols with difluoro(p-trifluoromethylphenyl)-λ3-bromane (5 × 10−2 M) in chloroform at room temperature afforded aryl fluoromethyl ethers selectively in good yields, probably via 1,2-shift of aryl groups from benzylic carbon to oxygen atoms.