The reaction of symmetrical and unsymmetrical endo peroxides with organometallic reagents affords hydroxy ethers. Primary, secondary, vinyl and aryl groups can be transferred with alkyllithium and Grignard reagents providing the best yields, organozincates, moderate. This demonstrates a new reactivity pattern for endoperoxides and provides a novel method for the formation of a variety of useful building blocks.
[Broom, Nigel; O'Hanlon, Peter J.; Simpson, Thomas J.; Stephen, Rosamund; Willis, Christine L. Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1: Organic and Bio-Organic Chemistry (1972-1999), 1995 , # 24 p. 3067 - 3072]