Abstract Straightforward etherification of benzyl alcohols (1) via intermolecular dehydration can be efficiently catalyzed by sodium bisulfite under solvent-free conditions. In the presence of 0.3 mol% or 0.6 mol% amount of sodium bisulfite, symmetric and unsymmetric ethers are prepared from the corresponding alcohols in high yields (up to 95%). Etherification of benzhydryl alcohols is also discussed.
