Ligand-free Cu-catalyzed O-arylation of aliphatic diolsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5ra12529d

Coupling reaction between aryl iodides and aliphatic diols was realized with a ligand-free copper catalyst under mild conditions. This method was successfully applied in the process of scale-up synthesis of medicinal candidate product EMB-3. Coupling reaction between aryl iodides with aliphatic diols was realized with a ligand-free copper catalyst. This method was successfully applied in the process of scale-up synthesis of medicinal candidate product EMB-3.