5796. Meerwein's Reagent

Nomenclature

CAS number: 368-39-8
Triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate (1-); triethyloxonium fluoborate.
C6H15BF4O; mol wt 189.99.
C 37.93%, H 7.96%, B 5.69%, F 40.00%, O 8.42%.

Description and references

Powerful ethylating agent; converts alcohols to ethyl ethers at neutral pH. Prepn: H. Meerwein et al., J. Prakt. Chem. 147, 257 (1937); idem et al., ibid. 154, 83 (1939); H. Meerwein, Org. Synth. 46, 113 (1966). Synthetic applications: N. Kornblum, G. P. Coffey, J. Org. Chem. 31, 3449 (1966); R. Kreher, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 12, 1022 (1973); D. G. McMinn, Synthesis 1976, 824; D. Crich, H. Dyker, Tetrahedron Lett. 30, 475 (1989); Y. Yamamoto et al., Synthesis 1995, 571; A. J. Kiessling, C. K. McClure, Synth. Commun. 27, 923 (1997). Brief review: S. Pichlmair, Synlett 2004, 195-196.

Chemical structure

Properties

Colorless solid, mp 91-92° (dec). Hygroscopic. Store at 0-5° in dichloromethane or diethyl ether.

Use

Alkylating agent for nucleophilic functional groups in organic synthesis.