Thiazolium Salt Immobilized on Ionic Liquid: An Efficient Catalyst and Solvent for Preparation of α-Hydroxyketones

Aldehydes were efficiently converted to acyloins and benzoins using a new ionic liquid, 3-[2-(1-butyl-1H-imidazol-1,3-ium-3-yl)ethyl]-4,5-dimethyl-1,3-thiazol-3-ium dibromide 1 . This ionic liquid is introduced as a catalyst and a solvent. Acyloins and benzoins were easily isolated from the reaction mixture via simple extraction, and the ionic liquid could be recycled for further use. Also, α-hydroxy ketones with an aromatic and aliphatic substituent were prepared starting from aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes in the presence of ionic liquid 1 .