Copper-catalyzed C(sp 3 )-H alkylation of fluorene with primary and secondary alcohols using a borrowing hydrogen method.

Despite the limited success of copper-catalyzed alkylations, (NNS)CuCl proved to be an effective catalyst for the sp 3 C-H alkylation of fluorene with alcohols. Various primary alcohols and challenging secondary alcohols were successfully used. The practical applicability of the method was effectively tested with several post-functionalization reactions. This copper-catalyzed alkylation of fluorene involved a borrowing hydrogen mechanism.