On catalysis by ionic liquids

Abstract

A molecular level mechanism of catalysis by an ionic liquid (IL) is proposed as an "electrophile nucleophile dual activation" through a "relay of cooperative hydrogen bonds and charge-charge interactions". Spectroscopic (1H NMR and IR) studies were used to probe the involvement of the C-2 hydrogen and the AcO- anion of [bmim][OAc] in the catalysis for O-t-Boc formation. Ion fishing by MALDI-TOF-TOF MS and MS-MS established the hydrogen bonded clusters. Copyright © 2009 American Chemical Society.