Decomposition of vinyl ethers by alkalide K−, K+(15-crown-5)2 via organopotassium intermediates

The structure of vinyl ethers determines the direction of the C–O bond cleavage by alkalide K−, K+(15-crown-5)21. Highly reactive organopotassium compounds are intermediate products formed in the system containing phenyl vinyl ether, butyl vinyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl vinyl ether or triethylene glycol methyl vinyl ether. Vinylpotassium and butylpotassium react with 15-crown-5. The oxacyclic ring of the latter is opened in this case. Organopotassium ethers possessing CH2CH2O units eliminate ethylene. It results in various potassium alkoxides. The reaction of 1 with butyl vinyl ether occurs very slow as compared to other vinyl ethers and most of other reagents used till now.