Synthetic application of micellar catalysis. williamson's synthesis of ethers

A simple, rapid and efficient procedure for the preparation of di-alkyl, simple phenyl-alkyi and hindered phenyl-alkyi ethers has been developed. Based on the principle of micellar catalysis the method involves alkylation of the alkoxide or the phenoxide ion with an alkyi chloride at 80°C in the presence of cationic micelles. For the preparation of phenyl-alkyl ethers normal micelles were used, while for the di-alkyl ethers reverse micelles were more effective. By increasing the ionic strength of the solution the rate of formation of phenyl-alkyl ethers could be increased.