Potassium hydride in paraffin: a useful base for organic synthesis.
The preparation of potassium hydride as a 1:1 homogenate with paraffin, termed KH(P), is reported. KH(P), a solid at room temperature, is stable without special handling. On suspension in THF with a phosphonium salt, KH(P) rapidly generates the ylide. Wittig condensation with aromatic, aliphatic, and alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes proceeds with high Z selectivity. KH(P) should be a generally useful base for organic synthesis.
Taber
Douglass F
DF
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA. taberdf@udel.edu
Nelson
Christopher G
CG
D000447:Aldehydes / Q000737:chemistry*; D000475:Alkenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010232:Paraffin; D011188:Potassium / Q000737:chemistry*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D000447:Aldehydes; D000475:Alkenes; D010232:Paraffin; D011188:Potassium