Novel quaternary ammonium ionic liquids and their use as dual solvent-catalysts in the hydrolytic reaction

Ionic liquids (ILs) are no longer just a class of esoteric compounds, but are proving to be valuable and useful in a multitude of different applications. Herein, novel quaternary ammonium ionic liquids have been synthesized and characterised. These ionic liquids are Brønsted acidic, available from cheap raw materials and easy to prepare. They have been used both as a catalyst and environmentally benign solvent for the hydrolytic reaction of 1,1,1,3-tetrachloro-3-phenylpropane, eliminating the need for a volatile organic solvent and additional catalyst. The results clearly demonstrate that these ILs can be easily separated and reused without losing their activity and quality. Also, the yields obtained with this methodology are significantly increased in comparison with those reported in organic solvents to date.