Original Article:
Recent Applications of Potassium Carbonate in Organic Synthesis
Rina Mondal, et al.
Organic Preparations and Procedures International, 2014, 46, 391-434.
10.1080/00304948.2014.944402
As a weakly basic alkali metal carbonate, potassium carbonate (K2CO3) has long been known for its use in organic chemistry. This article summarizes the application of potassium carbonate as a common, inexpensive and environmentally friendly reagent in organic synthesis. In some cases, potassium carbonate acts as a catalyst while in others as a reagent.
> Potassium carbonate as base or basic catalyst
Alkylation, arylation and acylation are treated collectively and are followed by nine other types of reactions, viz., aldol condensation and related reactions, epoxy opening, Michael, Knoevenagel, Wittig reactions, elimination, hydration, cycling and multi-component condensations. In these reactions, potassium carbonate acts as a base or basic catalyst. For example, compounds with both acidic and neutral hydroxyl groups can be alkylated with potassium carbonate. As shown in the figure, under microwave irradiation conditions, methylation of phenols with tetramethylammonium chloride using anhydrous potassium carbonate can be achieved.
> Potassium carbonate as an acid scavenger in metal-catalyzed reactions
Potassium carbonate has been used as a base to scavenge the acids generated in many metal-catalyzed reactions, e.g., the Heck and Sonogasira reactions, the Suzuki coupling, iridium-, rhodium-, ruthenium-, and copper-catalyzed reactions as well as iodocyclizations.
Chemicals Related in the Paper:
| Catalog Number | Product Name | Structure | CAS Number | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACM584087 | Potassium carbonate |  |
584-08-7 | Price |
