Process for the preparation of ether-containing chlorides

Claim 1

A process for the preparation of a compound having the formula R.sup.2 (OR.sup.3).sub.n Cl III by contacting a chlorinating agent selected from the group consisting of phosphorous pentachloride, phosphorous oxychloride and thionyl chloride with a compound of the formula R.sup.1 (OR.sup.3).sub.n OH I in the presence of a catalytic amount of a quaternary ammonium salt of the formula ##STR2## wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 20, R 1 is alkyl of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkylaryl of from 7 to 18 carbon atoms, arylalkyl of from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, HOCH 2 CH 2 -- or ClCH 2 CH 2 --; R 2 is alkyl of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl of from 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkylaryl of from 7 to 18 carbon atoms, arylalkyl of from 7 to 10 carbon atoms, or ClCH 2 CH 2 --, wherein said R 1 of the reactant corresponds to said R 2 of the product except that said R 2 is ClCH 2 CH 2 -- when R 1 is HOCH 2 CH 2 --; R 3 is an alkylene radical of from 2 to 3 carbon atoms; R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , and R 7 are each independently selected from alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkylaryl of from 7 to 18 carbon atoms, arylalkyl of from 7 to 18 carbon atoms, and aryl of from 6 to 18 carbon atoms and X is a halide, hydrogen sulfate or hydroxide anion; the reaction being conducted at a temperature of about 25° to about 90° C.