Nitrite ionic liquid as a new reagent for in situ synthesis of aryl iodides and azides

Abstract

A new ionic liquid, 1-methyl-3-(2-[2-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium-3-yl)ethyloxy] ethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium dinitrite, was synthesized. This ionic liquid was used as a convenient nitrosonium source in diazotization of aryl amines into their corresponding diazonium salts, which were converted into aryl iodides and aryl azides using potassium iodide or sodium azide, respectively. Various aryl amines possessing electron-withdrawing groups or electron-donating groups were converted into the corresponding aryl iodides and aryl azides in excellent yields. Advantages of this methodology are the use of mild reaction conditions, short reaction times, and avoiding the use of toxic solvents.