Abstract
Secondary amines and thiophenols were alkylated with alkyl and benzyl halides rapidly on alumina supported potassium carbonate under solvent-free conditions using microwaves. Equimolar amounts of the secondary amine/thiophenol and alkyl halide were used. The procedure neither required any strong base nor a PTC. Aniline was also monobenzylated with benzylchloride. Separation of the products from the reactants was very simple by using a nonpolar solvent for desorption.