Studies On The Application Of Ionic Liquids As Catalysts And Media In Organic Synthesis.

Ionic liquids entirely composed of cations and anions have recently been attracted much attention in organic synthesis. Being possess negligible vapour pressure, good solvating ability, tunable polarity, high thermal stability etc. unique properties, ionic liquids have been proved to be the suitable green solvent for organic synthesis. This article introduces the following researchers:Studies of the application of the biphasic system [bmim]PF₆/H₂O consist of hydrophobic 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim]PF₆) and water in organic synthesis.A series of aldehydes and ketones were reduced by potassium borohydride in [bmim]PF₆/H₂O biphasic system to afford corresponding alcohol with high purity at room temperature in excellent yields. The ionic liquid play dual effects as phase transfer catalyst (PTCs) and media.A variety of carbonyl compounds can be converted into oximes efficiently and conveniently in [bmimJPF₆/H₂O biphasic system in the presence of sodium bicarbonate at ambient temperature. The ionic liquid played dual effects as extractant and media and extracted the free hydroxylamine produced in situ in the water phase into ionic liquid.A series of aldehydes were conveniently transformed to the corresponding nitriles directly in the presence of iodine and ammonia water in the [bmin]PF₆/H₂O biphasic system in excellent yields. The ionic liquid played dual effects as extractant and media and extracted ammonia from ammonia water into ionic liquid phase.The notable advantages of [bmin]PF₆/H₂O biphasic system in terms of no need of organic solvents, mild conditions, simple operation, short reaction time, ease work-up, high yields and recycling of the ionic liquid and benign to the environment.Treatment of aromatic aldehydes with iodine and ammonia water using a hydrophilic room temperature ionic liquid l-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim]BF₄) at room temperature afforded the correspondingnitriles in high yields. The ionic liquid served as homogeneous media.The Darzens condensation reaction of aromatic aldehydes with phenacyl bromide proceeded in [bmim]PF7wt% at 70°C.