SYNTHETIC APPLICATION OF MICELLAR CATALYSIS. WILLIAMSON'S SYNTHESIS OF ETHERS

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)90106-1

A simple, rapid and efficient procedure for the preparation of di-alkyl, simple phenyl-alkyl and hindered phenyl-alkyl ethers has been developed.Based on the principle of micellar catalysis the method involves alkylation of the alkoxide or the phenoxide ion with an alkyl chloride at 80 deg C in the presence of cationic micelles.For the preparation of phenyl-alkyl ethers normal micelles were used, while for the di-alkyl ethers reverse micelles were more effective.By increasing the ionic strength of the solution the rate of formation of phenyl-alkyl ethers could be increased.