Synthesis of vinyl ethers of alcohols using calcium carbide under superbasic catalytic conditions (KOH/DMSO)

Abstract

Vinyl ethers are important and useful synthetic building blocks. Using a test tube with a screw cap, a convenient preparation of vinyl ethers from alcohols with calcium carbide under superbasic catalytic conditions (KOH/DMSO) was developed. The vinylation of primary and secondary alcohols was successfully achieved, affording the desired products in good yields. The gram-scale preparation of a vinyl ether was also demonstrated. In this reaction, calcium carbide acts as an acetylene source, constituting a safer alternative to acetylene gas.