Imidazolium-urea low transition temperature mixtures for the UHP-promoted oxidation of boron compounds

Different carboxy-functionalized imidazolium salts have been considered as components of low transition temperature mixtures (LTTMs) in combination with urea. Among them, a novel LTTM based on 1-(methoxycarbonyl)methyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and urea has been prepared and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry throughout its entire composition range. This LTTM has been employed for the oxidation of boron reagents using urea-hydrogen peroxide adduct (UHP) as the oxidizer, thus avoiding the use of aqueous H2O2, which is dangerous to handle. This metal-free protocol affords the corresponding alcohols in good to quantitative yields in up to 5 mmol scale without the need of further purification. The broad composition range of the LTTM allows for the reaction to be carried out up to three consecutive times with a single imidazolium salt loading offering remarkable sustainability with an E-factor of 7.9, which can be reduced to 3.2 by the threefold reuse of the system.