Benzyl Derivatives of 3-Phenoxytoluene

3-phenoxybenzyl derivatives are of great interest in the chemistry of the pyrethroid insecticids since its chrysanthemate and isovalerate esters are the most active compounds against insects and the less toxic towards mammals.¹ However classical benzylic catalytic methods give poor yields in the case of the 3-phenoxytoluene, because of the deactivating effect of the 3-phenoxy substituent upon the benzylic hydrogen^2,3.