PHASE-TRANSFER-CATALYZED N-ETHYLATION OF N-ETHYL-2-PHENYLACETAMIDE

Phase-transfer catalyzed N-ethylations of N-ethyl-2-phenylacetamide (E PA) in the presence of powdered KOH (solid-liquid system) have been ca rried out in order to establish the effect of catalyst structure on th e reaction. The formation of O- and C-products of alkylation is monito red. The effect of temperature on N-alkylation as well as on the rearr angement of O- to N-product of alkylation has been investigated. The i nfluence of the structure of the quaternary ammonium cation (quat) and the anion type on the yield of the N-ethylation product is also discu ssed. A suitable mechanism for the phase-transfer catalysed reaction i s suggested.