Mesoporous silica-functionalized dual Brønsted acidic ionic liquid as an efficient catalyst for thioacetalization of carbonyl compounds in water

A novel silica-functionalized dual Brønsted acidic ionic liquid (ionic liquid with two Brønsted acidic species) has been reported as a highly efficient catalyst for thioacetalization of carbonyl compounds. The reaction was efficiently performed in water as an environmentally benign solvent with good to high yields. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed that the catalyst is stable at least up to 350 °C. Furthermore, the catalyst can be recycled and reused for six runs of reaction without appreciable loss of activity. The structure of the catalyst is modelized to gain more realistic structural insight about the functionalized ionic liquid.