Triglyme is used as inert special solvent for grignard-, reduction- and alkylation-reactions. Reactions involving alkali metals can be carried out in Triglyme. Alkali metali dispersions used for etching of Teflon and Fluoroplymers are prepared in Triglyme. Na/K alloy is soluble in Triglyme.
Triglyme is used as high boiling, inert solvent for sodium borohydride reductions. It is used as replacement for standard protic solvents like methanol or caustic water and enhances the selectivity and yield of reduction reactions involving NaBH4. It also offers a versatile route for the in situ generation of diborane.
Triglyme is an excellent and selective solvent to carry out methylation reactions with the environmentally benign dimethyl carbonate (DMC). Methylations of aromatic and aliphatic compounds can be carried out under mild conditions without employing a phase transfer catalyst. (SynLett, 2002, 2, 272-274 Abstract )
Reactions of primary aromatic amines with dialkyl carbonates like 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)methylethyl carbonate proceed 5 times faster and with 95% selectivity in triglyme. In DMF the reaction does not occur at all. |