The three-component coupling of aldehyde, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) and
cyclohexyl isocyanide proceeds efficiently in [bmim]BF4 ionic medium under extremely mild conditions to afford the corresponding 2-aminofuran
derivatives in high yields. The zwitterionic intermediate formed in situ from DMAD
and isocyanide shows enhanced reactivity in ionic liquids, thereby reducing reaction
times and improving the yields significantly. Ionic liquid helps to avoid the use
of highly toxic and environmentally unfavorable benzene as solvent for this conversion.
The recovered ionic liquid was reused for five to six times with consistent activity.
ionic liquids (ILs) - multi-component reaction - furan derivatives