Hydroalkoxylation
Hydroalkoxylation is a chemical reaction that combines alcohols with alkenes or alkynes. The process affords ethers.
The reaction converts alkenes to dialkyl or aryl-alkyl ethers:
- R'OH + RCH=CH2 → R'OCH(R)-CH3
Similarly, alkynes are converted to vinyl ethers:
- R'OH + RC≡CH → R'OC(R)=CH2
As shown, the reaction follows the
atom-economy in the sense that no byproducts are produced. The reaction is catalyzed by bases and also by transition metal complexes.[1] Usually symmetrical ethers are prepared by dehydration of alcohols and unsymmetrical ethers by the Williamson ether synthesis from alkyl halides and alkali metal alkoxides.[2]
See also
References
 | This catalysis article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |