Co-Catalytic Effects in Phase-Transfer Catalyzed Reactions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1987-28005

The phase-transfer catalyzed alkylation reaction of diethyl malonate with butyl bromide using solid potassium carbonate as base could not be accelerated above a limiting reaction rate by increasing the concentration of the onium salt catalyst.The rate limit could be exceeded by using crown ether in addition to an onium salt.Polyethylene glycols exhibit a similar effect.These results were used to improve the yields in a series of related alkylation reactions.