Efficient and Convenient Synthesis of Diethers from Furoin Under Ultrasound and Solid-liquid Phase Transfer Catalysis Conditions

Introduction Compounds having an active hydroxy group, such as, acyloins can be easily alkylated by alkyl halides in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC). The reaction is usually carried out in the presence of concentrated aqueous sodium or potassium hydroxide and a phase transfer catalyst, such as, quaternary ammonium salts[1-3], which facilitate the interphase transfer of species, making reactions between reagents in two immiscible phases possible. The reaction involves a series of equilibrium and mass-transfer steps.