Abstract

Aqueous tetra-n-butyl ammonium hydroxide solution (TBAOH) has been used as a green reaction medium and efficient catalyst for the O-alkylation of alcohols and phenols as well as S-alkylation of thiols under a novel, mild and convenient procedure. Herein, TBAOH has been used as a strong base, medium of reaction and phase transfer reagent.

Keywords: Tetra-n-butyl ammonium hydroxide, ethers, thioethers, neat condition, alkylation.