The intramolecular reaction of dialkyl peroxides with carbanions, generated via chemoselective metal-heteroatom exchange or deprotonation, provides a new approach to cyclic ethers. Applied in tandem with C–C bond formation, the strategy enables a one-step annelation to form oxaospirocycles.

Two-fold alkylation of 1,1-dihydroperoxides, followed by hydrolysis of the resulting bisperoxyacetals, provides a convenient method for synthesis of primary and secondary alkyl hydroperoxides.

Reaction of in situ generated carbanions with dialkyl peroxides is demonstrated to proceed intramolecularly to yield cyclic ethers (II) and (IV).