Alkylation of Anions on Solid Inorganic Supports: Synthesis of Nitriles, Esters, Phenolic Ethers and Mono-C-Substituted Acetoacetic Esters

Abstract
The use of inorganic supports as alternatives to organic solvents is becoming increasingly widespread in synthetic organic chemistry1,2. Such media involve milder reactions conditions, simpler work-up and often higher selectivity. We have undertaken a systematic study of anionic condensations on solid inorganic supports, and we have recently reported that malonic ester anions may be generated on “basic” inorganic supports (silica and alumina gels) where they undergo either intra- or intermolecular alkylation reactions selectively and in high yield3.