Synlett 2004(1): 197-198  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-44991
SPOTLIGHT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Potassium Fluoride on Alumina (KF/Al2O3)

Manmohan Chhibber*
Molecular Biophysics Unit and Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, 560012 Bangalore, India
e-Mail: chhibber@mbu.iisc.ernet.in;
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 December 2003 (online)

Introduction

Potassium fluoride on alumina (KF/Al2O3) is a versatile base developed by Ando et al. for alkylation reactions. [1] Over the years the reagent has found applications in a large number of organic reactions such as elimination, [2] addition, [3] condensation, [4] epoxidation, [5] palladium-catalyzed coupling [6] and the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. [7] The KF/Al2O3 system has been able to replace organic bases in many reactions, but still its enhanced source of basicity as compared to non-supported KF remains a matter of debate in literature. [8] Recently, Blass has reviewed [9] KF/Al2O3 mediated organic synthesis.

The solid supported reagent has the advantage of being used in solid and solution phase reactions thus facilitating ease of separation from reaction mixture by filtration. In addition, it can be conveniently used for microwave and ultrasound mediated chemical transformations.