[Stasis]

So I need a phase transfer catalyst for a reaction, and read that many fabric softeners contain quaternary ammonium salts as an anti-static agent. The predominant ingredient seems to be benzalkonium chloride. Would this be suitable as a PTC?

Thanks

[syunchow]

What solvent system are you using? I'm doing a reaction which involves potassium carbonate in acetonitrile (doesnt dissolve well at all), and the suggested PTC is tetrabutylammonium chloride.

[syunchow]

*correction tetrabutylammonium iodide

[cundi]

Usaully iodide salts doesn't show good results. Cl or Br are more conveniennt for PTC.
Anyway you have a large number of PTC to choose.

http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/chemistry/chemistry-products.html?TablePage=16278278

[Stasis]

What solvent system are you using? I'm doing a reaction which involves potassium carbonate in acetonitrile (doesnt dissolve well at all), and the suggested PTC is tetrabutylammonium chloride.

Sorry for the slow reply. The system I'm using is an organic oil in DCM, and NaOH in water. So I take it you can't just use any PTC for a reaction then?