Synthesis 2004(1): 33-36  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-44350
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Organic Reactions in Ionic Liquids: Ionic Liquid-Accelerated Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction of α-Tosyloxyketones with Potassium Salts of Aromatic Acids

Zhi Liua,b, Zhen-Chu Chen*a,b, Qin-Guo Zhengc
a Ningbo Institute of Technology, Zhejiang University, Ningbo, 315104, P. R. China
b Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University (XiXi Campus), Hangzhou, 310028, P. R. China
e-Mail: zhenchuc@mail.hz.zj.cn;
c Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Institute, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
Further Information

Publication History

Received 17 September 2003
Publication Date:
25 November 2003 (online)

Abstract

The room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]) is used as a ‘green’ recyclable alternative to classical molecular solvents for the nucleophilic substitution reaction of α-tosyloxy ketones with potassium salts of aromatic acids. Significant rate enhancement and improved yields have been observed.