The present invention discloses a process for preparing a chemical compound comprising reacting a nucleophile with an alkyl fluoroalkyi sulfonate in the presence of a base of formula NR1 R2R3, wherein R1 and R2 are independently 2-methylpropyl or isopropyl and R3 is - CH(R4)(R5), wherein R4 and R5 are identical or different alkyls that are optionally connected to form a ring. The invention also relates to a process for preparing an alkyl fluoroalkyi sulfonate. The invention further relates to a use of the base in a chemical reaction comprising an alkyl fluoroalkyi sulfonate. The process and uses are suitable for preparing chemical compounds, reactants or intermediates thereof, and in particular for preparing API or reactants, like for example everolimus or reactants for its preparation.
