This reaction follows a Wohl-Ziegler bromination in the synthesis of Bryostatin I. Aspinall
This reaction follows a Wohl-Ziegler bromination in the synthesis of Bryostatin I. Aspinall et. al. reported on an improvement to this reaction using a cyclic pentamer of ethylene oxide and using a base of sodium hydride. Paul and Gupta developed a way to catalyze this reaction with zinc in the absence of a base.  In some cases, silver or iodine salts can be added to improve this reaction's rate, and this reaction usually involves the in situ production of an alkoxide ion using either a metal hydride or a carbonate base.  The key step in this reaction is the removal of a halogen from one of the starting components following nucleophilic attack by an alkoxide ion to form its primary product. Discovered in 1850 by its American namesake, FTP, name this method of ether synthesis.
This reaction follows a Wohl-Ziegler bromination in the synthesis of Bryostatin I. Aspinall
Williamson Ether Synthesis