Characterization and isolation of an 18-crown-6 complex of potassium hydroxide prepared by milling: application to mechanochemical organic synthesis

Abstract

The enhanced mechanochemical reactivity of potassium hydroxide (KOH) in the presence of 18-crown-6 ether is supported by potassium complexation under milling and has been demonstrated in the Henry reaction and S_NAr hydroxylation: in both cases, the desired product is formed within 10 minutes, but requires the presence of the crown ether.