1, 5-Heptadien-4-ol and various 1, 4-and 1, 5-glycols are catalytically converted to open- chain and cyclic ethers respectively in the presence of butyltin trichloride. The dehydration of alcohols is mediated by formation of organoalkoxytin dihalides BuSn (OR) Cl2 A mechanism for the formation of these ethers is proposed. The catalytic activity of other organotins together with SnCl4 has been examined for the conversion of 1, 5-pentanediol to THP; the ...