Synthesis of Β-Nitrostyrene in Highly Hydrophilic Ionic Liquid Media

Abstract

The condensation reaction of benzaldehyde with nitromethane that resulted in the formation of β-nitrostyrene was studied in ionic liquid media - (2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium carboxylates (formates, lactates, acetates) without application of any other catalyst. The dependence of product yield on the ionic liquid cation and anion structure, the polarity of the ionic liquid and the pseudo-pH value of the reaction medium was investigated. The highest yield of the condensation reaction product - β-nitrostyrene was achieved in (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium formate medium