Selectivity in alkylation of phenols with 1-bromo-3-chloropropane using phase-transfer catalysis

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1990-27096

The use of various phase-transfer catalysts in the alkylation of phenol and substituted phenols with 1-bromo-3-chloropropane was investigated. When a quarternary ammonium salt of the general formula R'₄N⁺ X^-, where R' = alkyl with a minimum chain length of 4 was used, a mixture of 1-aryloxy-3-chloropropane and 1-aryloxy-3-bromopropane resulted. The effect of counterion, added potassium bromide, and catalysts other than quarternary ammonium salts were assessed for the halopropylation of 2,5-dimethylphenol.