New task-specific ionic liquids as bifunctional organocatalysts; Synthesis, characterization, and computational insights

Abstract

A new class of functionalized imidazolium-based Task-Specific Ionic Liquids (TSILs) is designed as low-cost bifunctional organocatalyst. New alkoxymethylimidazolium ILs are efficiently synthesized under solvent free conditions and extensively characterized by physical and spectral studies. The newly synthesized ILs demonstrate excellent catalytic potential in condensation reactions of high importance, such as the Biginelli reaction for the synthesis of medicinally important dihydropyrimidiones. The effect of the alkoxy group and counter-ions in the imidazolium salts were evaluated in detail. Moreover, computational studies were employed to explore the structural dynamics and physicochemical properties of the prepared ionic liquids. 3-(iso-butoxymethyl)-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium tetrafluoroborate (iBOMMIMBF47) exhibited the highest catalytic ability due to the combined influence of the alkoxy group structure, counterion nature, high electrophilicity index, and availability of the reactive C2-H. Some notable advantages of the new TSILs include efficient catalyst preparation, simple work-up procedure, recyclability, short reaction times, and excellent yields.