Some Notes on the Use of PTC

PTC reactions involving organic anions produced in sim in the organic phase are mechanistically more complicated because of the more hydrophobic nature of such species. In such cases, the aqueous phase normally contains a base such as aqueous concentrated or solid NaOH or KOH or solid K2CO3, and the organic phase contains the anion precursor (an alcohol, amine, or other acid ), an electrophilic reactant, and in some cases, an aprotic solvent. Alkylation of phenylacetonitrile by reaction of its carbanion with alkyl halide is an example of such an application of PTC and helps illustrate how the process functions. 

Mechanistic studies strongly indicate that the generation of carbanions, alkox-ides, or other organic anions does not occur via direct ion exchange between X- 

---