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A gold‐catalyzed, Friedel–Crafts‐like benzylation of unactivated benzylic alcohols to form 1,1‐diarylalkanes has been developed. The operationally convenient method uses only 1.3 equivalents of the electron‐rich arene, employs readily available starting materials, is highly reproducible, and is tolerant of moisture. Moderate‐to‐high product yields (34–99 %) with excellent regioselectivity were obtained. In particular, the intramolecular arylation of benzylic alcohols to afford substituted fluorenes represents a new avenue for gold research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of a gold-catalyzed, microwave protocol to activate alcohols through an intermolecular, SN1-type reaction to directly form unsymmetrical ethers and SN-benzyloxy carbamate- (Cbz) protected amines is reported. Results have shown this reaction to be highly reproducible and tolerant of moisture, and moderate to high product yields (53-99%) were obtained. Significantly, the intermolecular catalytic amination of alcohols to directly afford Cbz-protected amines is heretofore unprecedented using gold catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]