Triisopropylsilanol: A new type of phase transfer catalyst for dehydrohalogenation

Abstract A new solid-liquid phase transfer catalyst, trisopropylsilanol (TIPSOH), has been developed which, through the silanol/silanoate system, allows KOH to quantitatively convert even primary alkyl halides to alkenes avoiding both ether and alcohol by-products. Its potential application in the detoxification of mustard gas analogues and environmental pollutants has been demonstrated.