A Tandem Scalable Microwave-Assisted Williamson Alkyl Aryl Ether Synthesis under Mild Conditions

An efficient tandem synthesis of alkyl aryl ethers, including valuable building blocks of dialdehyde and dinitro groups under microwave irradiation and solvent free conditions on potassium carbonate as a mild solid base has been developed. A series of alkyl aryl ethers were obtained from alcohols in excellent yields by following the Williamson ether synthesis protocol under practical mild conditions. Scale up ability of this practical procedure is shown by the preparation of some of the valuable dialdehydes up to 50 mmole from alcohols. The method is simple, rapid, straight-forward and holds potential for further application in organic synthesis and industrial requirements.