A Resin-promoted Williamson's Alkyl Aryl Ether Synthesis. Methylation of 2-tert-Butyl-5-methylphenol with Methyl Chloride

Abstract

The use of easily recoverable tri-n-butylphosphoniummethylated polystyrene resin (phosphonium resin catalyst) under triphasic reaction conditions was proposed in Williamson's alkyl aryl ether synthesis. O-Methylation of 2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenol with methyl chloride was easily carried out in the presence of the phosphonium resin catalyst under basic conditions to give 2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenyl methyl ether in excellent yield. A few other phenols were also O-alkylated under similar triphasic reaction conditions to give alkyl aryl ethers.