Basic Ionic Liquid as Catalyst for the Efficient and Green Synthesis of 2-Amino-3-nitrobenzonitriles in Ethanol

Abstract A basic ionic liquid, [BmIm]OH was used as catalyst in the cyclocondensation of various kinds of vinylmalononitriles with nitroolefins in ethanol at reflux. A series of 2-amino-3-nitrobenzonitriles were obtained in reasonable yields. The straightforward and green protocol was found to be fairly efficient, and the catalyst could be recycled and reused in subsequent reactions with consistent activity. The mechanism of the reaction was discussed.