Selective aliphatic carbon (α)–carbon (β) bond activation of ethers by (5, 10, 15, 20- tetramesitylporphyrinato) rhodium (II)(Rh (tmp)(1)) was achieved at room temperature to yield corresponding rhodium porphyrin alkyls and the functionalized esters. Rh (tmp) OH was the proposed intermediate responsible for cleaving the C (α)–C (β) bond. The reaction is general for both straight-and branch-chain ethers.
