Selective dealkylations of alkyl aryl ethers in heterogeneous basic media under microwave irradiation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)00366-3

Ethyl isoeugenol and 2-ethoxyanisole could be selectively deethylated using potassium t-butoxide in the presence of crown ether under solvent-free conditions. By addition of ethylene glycol, selectivity was reversed to demethylation. In both cases, strong enhancements were observed under focused microwaves.