Interfacial Synthesis Part I: Phase-Transfer Catalyzed Synthesis of Polyhydroxy Ether

Abstract

Abstract A convenient, rapid and efficient method for the synthesis of linear, moderate molecular weight polyhydroxy ethers has been developed. Based on the principle of “phase-transfer catalysis” the method involves the reaction of quaternized bis-phenate ion-pair with epichlorohydrin in aqueous alkali-dioxane system, at the reflux temperature of ∼ 86°C, using a quaternary ammonium salt as an effective reagent for the transportation of the bis-phenate-A ion. to the organic phase in a highly reactive form. In contrast to several other processes where phase-transfer catalysts are involved, the present procedure appears to be truly catalytic with respect to quaternary ammonium salt. The successful use of polyethylene glycols (MW 300-14,000) as phase-transfer catalysts is also of great importance due to their low toxicity and relatively low cost. The role of phase-transfer catalysts in biphasic systems for preparative macromolecular systhesis has also been briefly outlined.