Preparation of benzenoid ethers and thioethers

A process for the preparation of a benzenoid ether or thioether, comprising reacting an activated halobenzene with the anionic reactant, RA.sup.- M.sup.+, wherein R is a hydrocarbon, A is oxygen or sulfur, and M is alkali or alkaline earth metal, or ammonium, in the presence of at least one tertiary amine sequestering agent having the formula:

• N--CHR.sub.1 --CHR.sub.2 --O--CHR.sub.3 --CHR.sub.4 --O).sub.n R.sub.5 ].sub.3 (I)
• in which n is an integer which is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to about 10, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, which are identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R.sub.5 represents an alkyl or cycloalkyl radical having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a phenyl radical or a radical --C.sub.m H.sub.2m --.phi. or C.sub.m H.sub.2m+1 --.phi.--, wherein .phi. is phenyl and in which m ranges from 1 to 12.